DUBAI — Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Seaidan will be looking to bury his big disappointment from last season’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies when he contests the new Dubai International Baja next month. Seaidan will be partnered by French co-driver Laurent Lichtleuchter in a Toyota Landcruiser for the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup series.
The Saudi driver thought he had won the 2016 FIA World Cup T2 production class title before losing it to Qatar’s Adel Hussain Abdulla after dropping points in Morocco following a protest over the legality of his car.
Also carrying the Saudi flag in Dubai will be Ahmed Al Malki and Omar Allahim in a Toyota Landcruiser as well as Ahmed Al Shegawi in a T2 Toyota Prado.
Organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of UAE and running through the Al Qudra desert from March 9-11, the Dubai International Baja is part of a three-event Middle East swing also including the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (April 1-7) and Qatar’s Sealine Cross Country Rally (April 16-21).
Reigning FIA World Cup champions Nasser Al Attiyah and Abdulla lead the Qatari challenge. Al Attiyah will be partnered by French co-driver Mathieu Baumel in a Toyota Hilux, which they took to victory in last year’s Desert Challenge on their way to the World Cup title. Abdulla, World Cup T2 production class winner for the last two years, teams up with French co-driver Sebastien Delaunay. Another Qatari, Mohammed Abu Issa, competes alongside French co-driver Xavier Panseri in the Mini All 4 Racing, which they took to 10th place in the Dakar Rally back in January. It was a driving debut for Abu Issa, twice a winner of the Desert Challenge quads title.
“We’re building towards a powerful starting line-up which is very encouraging for the Baja International Rally as it’s a new event showing the way ahead for rallying in the UAE, and the region as a whole,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and the Emirates Motor Sport Federation.
Flying Dutchman Erik Van Loon is among the overseas stars ready for battle with the Arab world’s top desert specialists in Dubai.
Van Loon and co-driver Wouter Rosegaar, who finished runners-up in the 2015 Desert Challenge, return to action in the UAE in a Toyota Hilux.
The T1 prototype class also brings a double entry from France, with Ronan Chabot assisted by Gilles Tillot in a T1 Toyota Hillux and Yannick Commagnac accompanied by Herve Lavergne in a 2WD SMG buggy.
Leading the UAE challenge will be Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi who will be looking to underline his presence at the top level of cross country rallying in an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 2008 DKR. Al Qassimi relies this time on the local knowledge of top Emirati co-driver Khalid Al Kendi, while his regular partner in World Rally Championship events, Ulsterman Chris Patterson, will accompany young Emirati Mansour Al Helei in a T2 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Another big UAE hopeful will be Ahmed Al Maqoodi, who won the candidate event staged in Dubai in December that led to the rally being added to this year’s FIA World Cup calendar. He will be partnered in a T3 Polaris buggy by Obaid Al Kitbe, the 2012 Desert Challenge quads champion.
With the World Cup series for cars and buggies starting in Russia on Friday, Dubai provides a challenging start for bike and quad riders in this year’s FIM Bajas World Cup. The candidate event winner on two wheels, UAE-based Dave McBride, is among the early bikes entries. — SG
