Qatar’s rally superstar Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his French co-driver Mathieu Baumel emerged victorious at the 2023 Dubai International Baja yesterday, wrapping up their successful FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas campaign.The dynamic pair conquered the challenging terrain aboard the new BRX Prodrive Hunter with a time of 5 hours, 22 minutes, and 52.3 seconds to conclude the season on a high note, as the eighth and final round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, the Jordan Baja which was due to be held from 23 to 26 November was cancelled given the current geopolitical situation.Al-Attiyah secured the FIA Bajas World Cup title last month in Portugal despite finishing in 5th place at the Baja Portalegre 500. Al-Attiyah and Baumel are now looking forward to retain their title at the Dakar Rally 2024 which will take place from January 6-19 in Saudi Arabia, where they will make their debut behind the wheel of the Prodrive Hunter T1+.Yesterday, the five-time Dakar Rally champion outpaced his former Overdrive Racing teammates Yazeed al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk who finished second overall in Dubai. Al-Rajhi, who completed the Baja in 5 hours 28 min and 6.2 secs, confirmed second spot in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ Championships – behind the victorious Qatar-French duo.The podium was completed by the Argentine-Spanish team of Juan Cruz Yacopini and Dani Oliveras of Overdrive Racing, finishing in 5:48:35.9 to claim the third position.Action got underway on Friday evening with a two-kilometre Prologue at Dubai’s Festival City, which ran in the dark for the first time and attracted a large number of spectators. Al-Attiyah won the Prologue, and went on to secure the victory in Saturday’s second stage.
November 12, 2023 | 11:57 PM