Doha: The Qatar International Baja will officially get underway at the impressive new Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor at 15.30hrs today.
Rescheduled from its original April calendar slot because of the COVID-19 crisis, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation’s flagship off-road event is now the fifth counting round of the 2021 FIM Bajas World Cup.
Subject to final technical checks, thirty-five motorcycles, five quads and six SSVs will tackle one short special stage and two desert off-road sections before the event finishes back at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.
Today will be a hectic day for everyone connected with the new Baja at the traditional Losail Sports Arena headquarters and then at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Competing machinery will pass the mandatory scrutineering checks at Losail in the morning before competitors are permitted to carry out a reconnaissance of the opening super special stage that is scheduled from 15.50hrs today.
Select entrants will attend the pre-event press conference (15.00hrs) at the Al Bayt Stadium shortly before the official ceremonial start takes centre stage from 15.30hrs. It is then a short drive to the start of the super special stage at Semaisma.
The top seed is MX Ride Dubai’s Mohammed Al Balooshi, who is hoping to extend his eight-point lead in the FIM Bajas World Cup’s 450cc motorcycle category. In addition to his closest series rival, Abdullah Abuaisheh, Al Balooshi faces competition from a number of Qatar riders, including Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani and Mohammed Al Kaabi.
Four Qatari drivers will be looking for outright success in the FIM’s new SSV category for lightweight all-terrain vehicles. Ahmed Al Kuwari wheels out a Yamaha YXZ 1000R with his experienced MERC co-driver Nasser Al Kuwari, while Khalid Al Mohannadi teams up with professional French navigator Sebastien Delaunay in a Polaris.
Abdullah Al Khelaifi puts his trust in a Yamaha alongside Abdulaziz Al Jabri and Ahmad Al Mohannadi rounds off the local strike force with Jordanian team-mate Feras Allouh in a Can-Am X3.