• Epic Landscape of Contrasts Welcomes Top Off Road Racers to Hatta
• Spectator Friendly Stages Offer Multiple Opportunities to See Racers in Final Round of the Season

Two weeks out from the Bajas World Cup title showdown at the Dubai International Baja and the teams are making plans for their visit to one of the most serenely beautiful locations in the United Arab Emirates along with a return to one of the most vibrant urban developments in the region.

The Dubai International Baja, an event renowned throughout the off-road motorsports world for its desert challenges, makes a statement this year with a route characterized by unique and stimulating geographical contrasts.

For the first time in its current incarnation as an off-road baja, the event moves away from the traditional sand dunes to make a visit to the rugged, rural idyll of Hatta for the spectator friendly prologue at 2.30pm on Friday, November 29th.

Hatta plays host to Dubai International Baja for the first time this year but the spectacular must-see destination for Emirati and international visitors alike is already a familiar location in top level rallying having played host the event’s predecessor, the FIA Dubai International Rally, on many occasions up to 2015.

The remarkable rocky terrain high in the Hajar Mountains will provide a unique and demanding challenge for the drivers and riders to the rolling dunes which are the familiar stomping ground of the FIA and FIM World Cup competitors coming to Dubai.

Set against the backdrop of the Hajar peaks and within touching distance of the turquoise waters of the Hatta Dam which offer such an idyllic location for Dubai watersports enthusiasts, the world-famous inland enclave will be the ideal location for the competitors to set out on this year’s Dubai International Baja.

The introduction of the prologue qualifying stage will make this final round of the FIA/FIM World Cup series even more challenging for the crews vying for championship honours in the various classes of cars, bikes and buggies.

The Qualifying Stage of 4.5km in Hatta will be a relatively short test on demanding terrain providing a new challenge to many of the competitors which will also be of particular importance strategically.

The prologue establishes the starting position for Special Stage 1on Saturday morning November 30th and, for the top ten competitors, there is the added opportunity to select their starting position via an ingenious system.

The fans who travel to Hatta for the Prologue will witness a stage of key relevance to the destination of overall honours.

Continuing the organisers’ policy of bringing the event to the city to make it as accessible as possible to the legions of sports fans across the region, Dubai Festival City will once again serve the event hub throughout the four days of the event with the official opening ceremony set to wow the crowds on the evening of November 29th.

The Ceremonial Start will be immediately preceded by the Start Selection Ceremony when the top ten competitors from the Prologue will make their choice of starting position for Special Stage 1.

The 10th fastest racer from the Prologue is first to make a selection of starting position in the top 10 followed by the ninth fastest who can select a position before, after or on the position of previous competitor and can move the previous racer up or down in the order.

A fascinating game of strategy ensues as the top competitors make their choices. No one wants to be first on the stage opening the ‘road’ for the other competitors. Equally, being too far back in the order is also a potential disadvantage so the Starting Order Ceremony is always particularly closely watched in the FIA and FIM Bajas World Cup series.

The return to Dubai Festival City for the Opening Ceremony at 7pm on Friday evening, 29th November, offers fans another opportunity to get close to the competitors and spectacular machinery in the heart of the urban wonderland of Dubai. The biggest entertainment, dining and fashion mall in Dubai sits on the edge of the desert on the doorstep of the city.

The remarkable proximity and inclusion of both desert and urban landscape are part of the charm of the event which attracts a world class entry throughout the classes, with many crews citing the unique locations as the reason for returning year after year.

The inclusion of the protected enclave of Hatta in this year’s event is only possible thanks to the vital support from local agencies and stakeholders including the Dubai Sports Council and the police force.

[Quote from Dubai Sports Council or Hatta Authorities?]
“The inclusion of Hatta on the route of Dubai International Baja is an exciting development for the region and we are very much looking forward to giving a warm welcome to our beautiful landscape to the competitors, officials and spectators.

“We are proud to showcase the stunning natural beauty and serenity of a place which has won a special place in the hearts of all who have visited over the years and we are sure that hosting an event of such international prestige will be a landmark moment for all of us involved in promoting Hatta.”

Muhammad Khamis Al Muhairi, Vice President of the EMSO and of the UAE Sports Executive Committee, stated: “We are excited to unveil the introduction of a prologue that will amaze and delight our regular competitors with the fascinating terrain in the always welcoming city of Hatta.

“This is an innovation which we are sure will enhance the rally’s appeal for competitors, showcasing a landscape of Dubai that is perhaps less known to the international audience, and providing a fantastic spectacle for the local community to enjoy.

“The event also returns to Dubai Festival City this year, and with this mix, we anticipate a thrilling event that captivates audiences and competitors alike.

“Our collaboration with the Dubai Government, alongside the FIA and FIM, reflects our commitment to delivering a remarkable experience that upholds the highest standards of organization and safety for all participants and spectators.”

The Dubai International Baja is a premier off-road motorsport event held annually in the UAE, celebrating 45 years since its inception as the Dubai International Rally in 1979. Now in its eighth edition under the Baja format, the event draws top competitors from around the globe to tackle the challenging dunes of Dubai.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organized by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, the Baja is backed by Official Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota, and the strategic support of the Dubai Government and its entities, including the Dubai Police, RTA, and Dubai Municipality. Additionally, the event proudly partners with charity organization Al Jalila Foundation.

Serving as the final round of both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIM Bajas World Cup, the Dubai International Baja reinforces its significance in the region’s motorsport heritage.