Jordan Baja 2022: Al-Saif, Al-Balooshi and Al-Khulaifi seal victories at the Jordan Baja

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Saleh Al-Saif, Mohammed Al-Balooshi and Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi overcame indifferent weather conditions in Wadi Araba to claim outright victories in their respective car, motorcycle and quad categories at the Jordan Baja on Saturday.

Rain threatened to dampen spirits at the second round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the opening race in the FIM Bajas World Cup. But Al-Saif overcame the weather to become the first driver of a T3 lightweight prototype machine ever to win a round of the FIA Baja series, as Al-Balooshi secured his third successive motorcycle win in the Hashemite Kingdom.

Al-Saif and his Russian co-driver Egor Okhotnikov began the day with a lead of over six minutes in their Can-Am Maverick X3 but a hard-charging Miroslav Zapletal reduced that to just 2min 56.2sec at the finish. The Czech duly moved up to second place, with Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri slipping in front of South Racing Can-Am team-mate Kees Koolen to finish third and secure victory in the FIA T4 category.

The triumphant Al-Saif said:

“We finished the Jordan Rally with an outstanding result. For the first time in a Baja race a T3 vehicle finishes first overall. It took a lot of work and preparation that started last year.”

T4 winner Al-Thefiri said: “

We are very happy to claim the win. Today was a fantastic stage. We pushed to the maximum. Today was wonderful. It was a bit like Dubai, maybe like Hail. We would like to participate in Jordan in the Dakar Rally.”

Rival Koolen added:

“For me, it was the first time in Jordan. It’s a very nice place. I didn’t expect it to be so nice. The tracks are perfect. It’s real rally-raid. Today was a lot more technical but we are pleased with the event and our finish.”

Seventeen-year-old Aliyyah Koloc delivered a stunning performance to round off the top five in her Buggyra ZM Racing Can-Am, the UAE girl finishing clear of Spain’s Fernando Alvarez, Pavel Silnov and Saeed Al-Mouri. Ninth-placed Dania Akeel and Armen Puzian rounded off the top 10.

Al-Rajhi recovered strongly from his first day drive shaft issue and was the class of the field on day two. He restarted ahead of his rivals and stormed through the stage in 2hr 01min 30.4sec to secure 12th overall.

“It was very good today,”

said Al-Rajhi.

“Everything went very well. It was difficult navigation but Michael (Orr) did a great job. We are happy. We had a good rhythm. Hopefully we can be better next time, but we learned a lot today.”

Inclement weather conditions greeted competitors to Wadi Araba, where Abdullah Abu Aishah and Al-Balooshi fought out their duel for motorcycle supremacy on the second 150.89km selective section. A one-minute time penalty for the Jordanian had reduced the overnight margin to just 40.6 seconds. Abdulhalem Al-Mogheera didn’t start the final stage.

The leaders rode in a group but lost their way on several occasions in the tricky conditions. Al-Balooshi was fourth quickest on the day, but the Emirati finished ahead of Abu Aishah and that was the critical factor that enabled the KTM man to snatch victory from the Jordanian by just 1min 16.7sec. It marked a third successive victory for Al-Balooshi in Jordan.

“I just had to reduce the gap today by riding with Abdullah to secure the win,”

said Al-Balooshi.

“That is what I did and I am very grateful. I stuck to the plan. Whenever you plan, and the plan comes together, it’s great. I was a bit nervous. I got lost so many times. Every time one new rider will tag along. Three wins in a row but the guys are training more and they know what it takes. I still haven’t recovered 100% from Dakar, but I am really happy. I am happy with my result,”

said runner-up Abu Aishah.

“Today was very tricky. We finished in the end and that is perfect.”

Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti dropped time to Qatar-based Australian rider Martin Chalmers during the course of the day’s stage but had enough in the tank to secure third overall, with the Aussie coming home in fourth place.

A delighted Chalmers said:

“I had a bit of an accident after 90km and lost all my electronics. I managed to get the tracks of the other guys and keep up a bit, but when they got lost I got lost. It was an awesome ride. Back from a broken ankle and this is the first international event I have ever finished.”

Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi began the final day with a lead of 2hr 04min 23sec in the quad category and the Saudi romped to an emphatic win. Rival Haitham Al-Tuwaijri failed to complete the opening leg and didn’t restart on Saturday.

The winning Yamaha rider said:

“Thank god we finished first. The weather was spectacular. It was similar to Dakar stages. It was heavily raining, which made it difficult to see well. We ran into many difficulties, the steering broke, but we finished first.”

Al-Mashna and Hani Al-Shammeri were the unofficial winners of the Jordan National Baja in their Nissan Patrol. They finished 10min 37.5sec clear of Motab Al-Shammeri and Bader Al-Ajmi.

The event ran with official support coming from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.

 

Source: Jordan MotorSport

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Jordan Baja 2022: Al-Saif, Abu Aisha and Al-Khulaifi lead after leg one of the Jordan Baja

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Major delays for Yazeed Al-Rajhi; Dutchman Kees Koolen holds second overall
Competitors face punishing new 150.89km section in Wadi Araba on Saturday

 Saleh Al-Saif, Jordan’s Abdullah Abu Aishah and Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi led their respective car, motorcycle and quad categories at the Jordan Baja, after the first two competitive sections of 232.71km and 81.97km through Wadi Rum on Friday

The counting round of both the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIM Bajas World Cup delivered drama from the start in one of the most spectacular locations on earth, with pre-rally favourite Yazeed Al-Rajhi hitting early technical troubles and losing around 80 minutes in the first section and a T3 Can-Am Maverick leading outright at the end of the day.

Saleh Al-Saif was comfortably the fastest driver through the first section in his Can-Am and the Saudi and his Russian co-driver Egor Okhotnikov stayed clear of trouble in the second one to storm into a 6min 43.8sec overnight lead over T4 front-runner Kees Koolen.

Al-Saif said: “We stayed clear of any problems and we kept a good focus and our times were good. We look forward to staying at the top. I love it here. It is similar to the regions of Saudi Arabia where I race.”

Miroslav Zapletal admitted that the navigation had been difficult but the experienced Czech guided his Ford F-150 to fourth overall behind Kuwait’s third-placed Meshari Al-Thefiri. Young Aliyyah Koloc came home in fifth in her Buggyra ZM Racing Can-Am and Fernando Alvarez held eighth overall and fourth in T3 at the end of the day, the Spaniard finishing behind Russia’s Armen Puzian and Saudi’s Saeed Al-Mouri.

Dania Akeel is the defending FIA T3 World Champion and she completed the day in ninth place. The 33-year-old said: “It was a lot of fun. I used both of my tyres in the first part but I am really pleased with how the day went.”

Al-Rajhi finished a drama-filled day in 12th place after his early woes and only 1hr 03min 51.8sec off the outright lead. “We broke the back of the car. We stopped for two hours to fix it and lost around 80 minutes on the stage. We are still going and we are enjoying it.”

Abu Aishah and Mohammed Al-Balooshi rode together for long periods in the motorcycle section, but the local rider took advantage of being able to follow the Emirati’s tracks and squeezed into a slender overnight lead. “Today was a long day, 315km,” said Abu Aishah. “We have 150km tomorrow in Araba. I will keep pushing until the end.”

“This is normal when you open,” said Al-Balooshi. “It’s quite challenging with the navigation. I believe Abdullah caught me after around 70 or 80km and then we stayed together the whole race. I kept opening. He did good with his part. Both of us are going for the win. I always give 100%. As long as I know I give 100%, I am happy.”

Martin Chalmers came home in fourth behind Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti. The Australian started building bikes and racing when he moved to Qatar. At the finish, he said: “That was some of the best riding I have ever done and also some of the most challenging. Navigation was very tough. Fortunately we (Al-Shatti) stuck together but we had to turn around a few times. I couldn’t appreciate the scenery though, unfortunately.”

Multiple Hail International Rally winner Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi held a massive lead in the quad section on his Yamaha. He said: “What a rally today..! I have been in Dakar and this is like Dakar stages, motorcyclists facing a hard and unique stage with sand and mountains. It was tough but thanks god that we finished.”

Competitors running in the National Baja tackled just one stage – a shortened version (141.03km) of the first FIA section. Al-Mashna Al-Shammeri set the fastest time, the Nissan Patrol driver taking a 6min 20sec lead over fellow Saudi, Motab Al-Shammeri, into the night halt.

Abdulhalem Al-Mogheera set the unofficial quickest time of 3hr 49min 12sec through the opening 232.71km selective section in Wadi Rum and moved ahead in the motorcycle category. The Saudi beat Abu Aishah by 1min 17sec, two-time winner Al-Balooshi by 3min 11sec and Abdullah Al-Shatti by 3min 22sec. Al-Khulaifi was in control in the quads and eked out a comfortable lead over Hani Al-Noumesi.

Yazeed Al-Rajhi was the firm favourite to win the FIA section, but the Saudi hit trouble with rear wheel issues and was badly delayed. Al-Saif was the man in form and the Can-Am driver stormed to the stage win, beating Zapletal by 12min 18sec to take command of the Baja. Meshari Al-Thefiri came home in second place and first in T4, but trailed Al-Saif by 8min 06sec. Koolen was third.

Competitors then tackled the shorter second stage and Abu Aishah rode close to Al-Balooshi, benefitting from the Emirati opening the road, to snatch an overnight lead of 1min 40.6sec.

Al-Saif drove without risks through the second section to confirm the lead in the car category, as a resurgent Al-Rajhi claimed the stage win and climbed up the leader board.

Tomorrow (Saturday), competitors visit Wadi Araba for the first time on the Jordan Baja. The stunning geographical feature runs from the Gulf of Aqaba to the southern shores of the Dead Sea and will see riders and drivers tackle a 150.89km selective section. The first motorcycle is duo on stage at 07.55hrs with the leading car following at 09.25hrs.

The event is running with official support coming from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.

2022 Jordan Baja – positions after Leg 1 (unofficial):

Cars
1. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU)/Egor Okhotnikov (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3 4hr 15min 33.6sec
2. Kees Koolen (NLD)/Wouter Rosegaar (NLD) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo 4hr 22min 17.4sec
3. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/François Cazalet (FRA) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo 4hr 22min 29.9sec
4. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SVK) Ford F-150 Evo 4hr 29min 39.9sec
5. Aliyyah Koloc (ARE)/Sebastien Delaunay (FRA) Can-Am Maverick DV21 4hr 30min 41.5sec
6. Armen Puzian (RUS)/Evgenii Zagorodniuk (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3 4hr 36min 45.0sec
7. Saeed Al-Mouri (SAU)/Sergio Lafuente (URY) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo 4hr 38min 15.7sec
8. Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3 4hr 38min 51.6sec
9. Dania Akeel (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3 4hr 43min 47.7sec
10. Cristiano Batista (BRA)/Vladimir Grunenberg (BRA) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo 4hr 52min 01.9sec
11. Pavel Silnov (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3 5hr 05min 37.6sec
12. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (SAU)/Michael Orr (GBR) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 5hr 19min 25.4sec
13. Filipe Nascimento (PRT)/João Serodio (PRT) Can-Am Maverick X3 5hr 20min 32.4sec, etc

Motorcycles
1. Abdullah Abu Aishah (JOR) KTM Rally Factory 5hr 10min 49.8sec
2. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally 5hr 12min 30.4sec
3. Abdullah Al-Shatti (KWT) KTM 450 Rally 5hr 21min 03.0sec
4. Martin Chalmers (AUS) Yamaha WR 450F 5hr 22min 47.1sec
5. Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera (SAU) KTM EXC 450 5hr 53min 09.1sec, etc

Quads
1. Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi (SAU) Yamaha Raptor 6hr 05min 47.9sec
2. Hani Al-Noumesi (SAU) Yamaha 7hr 24min 37.8sec, etc

Jordan National Baja
1. Al-Mashna Al-Shammeri (SAU)/Hani Al-Shammeri (SAU) Nissan Patrol 2hr 05min 42.0sec
2. Motab Al-Shammeri (SAU)/Bader Al-Ajmi (SAU) Nissan 2hr 12min 02.5sec
3. Mahmoud Al-Maabda (PSE)/Yousef Ligwena (PSE) Mitsubishi Pajero 2hr 13min 44.8sec, etc

Follow the race live over the weekend: https://chronomoto.hu/en/

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Jordan Baja 2022: Jordan Baja gets underway in Aqaba

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Competitors set to tackle two sections of a stage through Wadi Rum on Friday

The 2022 Jordan Baja was officially launched at a podium ceremony in the Red Sea city of Aqaba on Thursday evening.
The counting round of both the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIM Bajas World Cup has attracted an impressive final starting line-up. With all pre-event formalities completed, 20 crews will tackle the FIA event, where they will be joined by 21 motorcycles, five quads and two SSVs in the FIM section. Nine teams will also compete in a National Baja.
Before the start celebrations, top seeded FIA driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi was joined at the pre-event press conference on the podium by Miroslav Zapletal, Fernando Alvarez, Saleh Al-Saif, Yasmeen and Aliyyah Koloc and motorcycle riders Mohammed Al-Balooshi and Abdullah Abu Aishah.

Yasir Seaidan was not able to take the start after damage sustained to his Mini at the Dakar Rally. The Saudi said: “I am in Jordan working as a team manager, but I will not be starting the Baja myself. The shortage of time between the Dakar and the Baja and the delay of the boat meant that I could not find a car.”

Several drivers, including Fernando Alvarez, Filipe Nascimento, Eduard Pons and Pavel Silnov, were able to take advantage of some spare time to shakedown their cars in the nearby deserts on Wednesday.

Nascimento began racing in T1 cars around 15 years ago. The Portuguese then moved into T3 racing about three seasons ago. Following a short shakedown, he said: “After Russia, three or four days ago, we are now trying the dunes. The landscape here is wonderful. Two weeks of different experiences. We made a short experience in the car. It was great. T3 is not as expensive as T1 and allows us to do more European and world races. We can do the World Cup on a lower budget and that is what we are doing this year.”

Pons added: “This is my first time in Jordan. I started rallying in 1986 in Spain. My racing career is focused mainly on tarmac and gravel in the Spanish and Catalan Championships. This is my first race in the World Cup for Bajas. I will try and do the full season.”

There were several late changes to the entry list with Frenchman François Cazalet replacing Nasser Al-Kuwari alongside Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri, Russia’s Egor Okhotnikov stepping in run with Saleh Al-Saif and Fahad Al-Amr becoming Muneef Al-Salmani’s co-driver for the weekend.

Tomorrow (Friday), competitors will tackle two parts of a gruelling selective section through the spectacular setting of Wadi Rum, one of the most beautiful desert locations on the planet.

Minor revisions have been made to the route for both the FIM and FIA categories and action gets underway for the motorcycles at 07.00hrs with a run through the opening section of 232.71km. The first car follows at 08.15hrs.

A short transfer zone and a refuelling point precede the second section of 81.97km, with the first motorcycle due at 12.40hrs and the leading car scheduled to get underway from 15.25hrs.

The event is running with official support coming from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.

Follow the race live over the weekend: https://chronomoto.hu/en/

2022 Jordan Baja – leading starters:

Cars
200. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (SAU)/Michael Orr (GBR) Toyota Hilux Overdrive
202. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SVK) Ford F-150 Evo
203. Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri (SAU)/Hassan Ali Obaid (ARE) Nissan Pick-up
204. Muneef Al-Salmani (SAU)/Fahad Al-Amr (SAU) Nissan Patrol
300. Dania Akeel (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3
301. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU)/Egor Okhotnikov (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3
302. Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3
305. Filipe Nascimento (PRT)/João Serodio (PRT) Can-Am Maverick X3
306. Pavel Silnov (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3
307. Armen Puzian (RUS)/Evgenii Zagorodniuk (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3

Motorcycles
1. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally
2. Abdullah Abu Aishah (JOR) KTM Rally Factory
3. Martin Chalmers (AUS) Yamaha WR 450F
4. Abdullah Al-Shatti (KWT) KTM 450 Rally
5. Mohammed Al-Thani (QAT) Honda CRF 450 Rally
6. Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera (SAU) KTM EXC 450

Quads
100. Haitham Al-Tuwaijri (SAU) Yamaha YFZ 450R
101. Hani Al-Noumesi (SAU) Yamaha
102. Faisal Al-Suwayh (SAU) Yamaha YFZ 450R
103. Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi (SAU) Yamaha Raptor
105. Saif Al-Zyoud (JOR) Yamaha 450 YF

Source Official press release

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Jordan Baja 2022: Jordan Baja set to be flagged off on the outskirts of Aqaba on thursday evening

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Saudi’s Al-Rajhi starts as favourite; Seaidan doubtful with car damage
Jordan’s Abu Aishah aims to prevent Al-Balooshi claiming bike hat-trick

The global cross-country rallying spotlight will be on the Red Sea city of Aqaba when the Jordan Baja officially starts at the nearby Ayla Marina Village on Thursday evening
Ahead of a quality international field of drivers and riders from 20 nations lie two challenging days of high-speed action in nearby Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba. Competitors will face off in round two of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, the opening round of the FIA Middle East series and the first event in the FIM Bajas World Cup. There will also be a National Rally running behind the main FIA Baja.
Saudi Arabia’s leading driver, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, starts as the favourite to challenge for the outright win in the FIA section. Rival Yasir Seaidan came up trumps in 2021 in a Mini John Cooper Works Rally but extensive damage sustained to his car at the Dakar Rally means it is doubtful whether the Saudi will be able to defend his title against the hard-charging Al-Rajhi, the latter fresh from a fine third place at the Dakar last month.
Czech veteran Miroslav Zapletal and Saudi’s Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri stand in Al-Rajhi’s way in the battle for FIA T1 honours. While Muneef Al-Salmani only needs to finish to secure the T2 category win for showroom production vehicles, 19 Can-Ams line up in the increasingly popular T3 and T4 sections.
Eleven of those are entered in the T3 category for lightweight prototype machines, with drivers from Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UAE, Portugal and Russia ably supported by co-drivers from France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Saleh Al-Saif is, perhaps, the most experienced of the bunch and won the FIA T4 section in Jordan last season. His list of rivals on this occasion include Spain’s Fernando Alvarez, UAE-based Briton Thomas Bell, the Russian duo of Pavel Silnov and Armen Puzian, Saudi’s Dania Akeel and the 17-year-old twin sisters, Yasmeen and Aliyyah Koloc, from the UAE. The youngsters are aiming to tackle the Dakar Rally in 2023 with Buggyra ZM Racing.
Eight crews line up in T4, all of whom will drive Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbos for several teams now active in cross-country racing. Dutch businessman and Dakar veteran Kees Koolen will be hoping to claim a first win in Jordan against the likes of Spain’s Eduard Pons, Brazil’s Cristiano de Sousa Batista and the Saudi trio of Saeed Al-Mouri, Yousef Al-Dhaif and Abdullah Al-Haydan.
There are 22 motorcycles, six quads and a pair of SSVs on the entry list for the first FIM Bajas World Cup round of the season. Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi will be aiming for a third successive win in Jordan on his KTM and rekindles his duel with local rider Abdullah Abu Aishah. Jordan will also be represented by Zaid Jaber and Rakan Al-Batayneh.
The list of riders also includes four Qataris, with Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani leading the way on his Honda CRF 450 Rally and accompanied in the Hashemite Kingdom by Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Yagoob Azadi and Abdulrahman Al-Sheeb.
Saudi Arabia has supplied five of the six quad entrants: Faisal Al-Suwayh won the category in Jordan last year on his Yamaha YFX 450R, but he faces Haitham Al-Tuwaijri (the defending FIM Bajas World Cup champion), seven-time Hail Rally winner Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi, Hani Al-Noumesi, Sultan Al-Masoud and the lone Jordanian quad rider Saif Al-Zyoud.
The National Rally category is dominated by entrants from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Palestine. Al-Mashna Al-Shammeri is a former winner of the Hail Baja National event and leads the way in a Nissan Patrol. Jordanian competition comes from Gaith Qubti (Range Rover), Al-Hassan Khatib (Toyota FJ) and Hassan Kalbouneh (Toyota Hilux).
As competitors make their final preparations for the pre-event press conference and ceremonial start at the Ayla Marina Village on the outskirts of Aqaba on Thursday afternoon, the weather has shown a slight improvement. The city of Amman and northern Jordan have recently been covered by a blanket of snow and it was decidedly chilly in the south of the country last week.
Baja organisers are expecting temperatures in the low twenties Centigrade in Aqaba over the weekend, but it is decidedly chillier inland in the exposed deserts, especially in the mornings and evenings.
The event is being based out of the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort and official support comes from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.

 

2022 Jordan Baja – leading entries:
Cars
200. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (SAU)/Michael Orr (GBR) Toyota Hilux Overdrive
201. Yasir Saeidan (SAU)/Alexey Kuzmich (RUS) Mini John Cooper Works Rally
202. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SVK) Ford F-150 Evo
203. Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri (SAU)/Hassan Ali Obaid (ARE) Nissan Pick-up
204. Muneef Al-Salmani (SAU)/Abdulsalem Al-Nammash (SAU) Nissan Patrol
300. Dania Akeel (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3
301. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU)/Oriol Vidal (ESP) Can-Am Maverick X3
302. Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3
303. Thomas Bell (ARE)/Bruno Jacomy (ARG) Can-Am Maverick X3
304. Mashael Al-Obaidan (SAU)/Alexey Izmich (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3

Motorcycles
1. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally
2. Abdullah Abu Aishah (JOR) KTM Rally Factory
3. Martin Chalmers (AUS) Yamaha WR 450F
4. Abdullah Al-Shatti (KWT) KTM 450 Rally
5. Mohammed Al-Thani (QAT) Honda CRF 450 Rally

Quads
100. Haitham Al-Tuwaijri (SAU) Yamaha YFZ 450R
101. Hani Al-Noumesi (SAU) Yamaha
102. Faisal Al-Suwayh (SAU) Yamaha YFZ 450R
103. Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi (SAU) Yamaha Raptor
104. Sultan Al-Masoud (SAU) Yamaha Raptor
105. Saif Al-Zyoud (JOR) Yamaha 450 YF


Source Jordan Baja

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Jordan Baja 2022: Nine drivers make the dash from Baja Russia to compete at the Jordan Baja this weekend

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With numerous events taking place in various FIA championship calendars at the start of the 2022 season, competitors tackling the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas were faced with taking part in two events within 10 days at the start of the season.

This week’s Jordan Baja comes on the hot on the heels of last weekend’s Baja Russia Northern Forest and nine drivers have arranged their logistics to enabled them to travel from the icy and snowy wastelands of northern Russia to compete across the spectacular deserts of southern Jordan. It will be a complete contrast in temperature terms as well, with sub-zero daytime chills and snow flurries in Russia’s Leningrad region being replaced by the warm shifting sands of Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba

Saudi Arabian drivers, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Dania Akeel, Mashael Al-Obaidan, Saleh Al-Saif and Yousef Al-Dhaif, enjoyed mixed fortunes in Russia. But they have hot-footed it to the Hashemite Kingdom.

Al-Rajhi had been the pre-event favourite to secure a second win in Russia, but his Toyota Hilux clouted a stone on the first proper forest stage and the impact damaged the steering and lower front suspension. The result was a massive haul of time penalties and a decision taken by the Saudi not to restart on the final day. So, Al-Rajhi arrives in Jordan already trailing Baja Russia winner Vladimir Vasilyev by 40 points in the championship standings.

“Last weekend was a disappointment and we had planned to restart on the final morning and try and climb up the field and catch and pass some cars,” said Al-Rajhi’s co-driver Michael Orr. “But the organisers wanted us to restart in P10, which meant we would catch a lot of cars and no chance to overtake on those roads. We must put that behind us now and focus on a big result in Jordan.”

Akeel and Al-Obaidan finished seventh and 10th in the FIA T3 category, while the former’s South Racing Can-Am team-mate Fernando Alvarez finished fifth overall and second in T3 in Russia and also makes the trip to Jordan.

Al-Saif was classified in ninth overall and fifth in T3. With T3 winner Anastasiya Nifontova not making the trip to Jordan, Alvarez has an excellent opportunity to extend his series lead after two rounds, while Al-Saif will be aiming to close the gap on the Spaniard.

Al-Dhaif finished 14th overall and third in the T4 section behind local rally driver Sergey Remennik and Spain’s Miguel Angel Valero. With neither of those two rivals present in the Levant this week, the Saudi senses an opportunity to move to the top of the points’ standings against a new set of opposition.

The Saudi sextet will be joined in Aqaba by the Nakusi Rally Team’s duo of Pavel Silnov and Armen Puzian and Brazil’s Cristiano de Sousa Batista in a Snag Racing Team Can-Am. The Russian duo finished seventh and 10th overall and fourth and sixth in T3 and will be aiming to close the gap on Alvarez through the southern Jordan deserts. De Sousa Batista retired in Russia.

The Russian event was not a round of the 2022 FIM Bajas World Cup and Jordan will be the first opportunity for motorcycle and quad riders to take to the stages since the Dakar Rally in January.

The Jordan Baja is based at the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort in Aqaba City on the Red Sea.

Support for the 2022 Jordan Baja comes from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.

2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas – positions after round 1:

Drivers
1. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) 40pts
2. Sergey Uspenskiy (RUS) 32pts
3. Anastasiya Nifontova (RUS) 27pts
4. Sergei Remennik (RUS) 21pts
5. Fernando Alvarez (ESP) 17pts, etc

T3
1. Anastasiya Nifontova (RUS) 40pts
2. Fernando Alvarez (ESP) 33pts
3. Vadim Fedotov (RUS) 26pts
4. Pavel Silnov (RUS) 21pts
5. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU) 17pts, etc

T4
1. Sergei Remennik (RUS) 40pts
2. Miguel Angel Valero (ESP) 33pts
3. Yousef Al-Dhaif (SAU) 26pts

Source Jordan Baja

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Jordan Baja 2022: Jordan has the honour of opening the 2022 FIM Bajas World Cup

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Twenty motorcycles (including two female riders), six quads and two SSVs will take the start of the first Baja of the 2022 season in Jordan.

Rally officials have laid on a total route of 662km around the city of Aqaba on the Red Sea and the tracks will take riders through the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Mohammed Al-Balooshi (KTM) will have his work cut out to defend his two wins at the Jordan Baja, because many of his rivals will be pushing hard to climb on to the top step of the podium. They include local rider Abdullah Abu Aisha (KTM), Qatar-based Australian Martin Chalmers (Yamaha) and Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti (KTM)…

Two ladies from Israel are taking up the challenge this year: Yael Kadshai (Husqvarna) and Alona Ben-Natan (GasGas).

In the quad category, we find Saudi riders, Haitham Al-Tuwaijri, Hani Al-Noumesi and Faisal Al-Suwayh, who dominated the 2021 Bajas season, riding their Yamahas. They will fight against local rider Seif Al-Zyoud.

Two SSV crews are also registered with Tal and David Galimidi and Roy Bartov and Guy Biton entered in a pair of Can-Ams.

After the riders’ briefing on Wednesday (February 16), at 16.00hrs, administrative and technical checks will take place in the Convention Centre of the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort hotel on Thursday February 17.

The Jordan Baja will then be fought out over two stages of 315.67km and 150.89km, the first running through Wadi Rum and the second located in nearby Wadi Arada in a total route of 661.62km.

Results and information will be available on Sportity code 22FIMWC and on www.jordanbaja.com

 

entry list jordan baja 2022

 

Source FIM
Photos Rally-Zone

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Jordan Baja 2022: Jordan Motorsport announces quality international field for Jordan Baja

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Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Yasir Seaidan head international FIA field
Two-time winner Mohammed Al-Balooshi tops bumper motorcycle entry

Jordan Motorsport announced the official entry for the 2022 Jordan Baja today (Tuesday), with competitors from 20 nations set to tackle next weekend’s three-day counting round of the FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIM Bajas World Cup.
The Saudi Arabian duo of Yazeed Al-Rajhi and last year’s winner Yasir Seaidan top the FIA T1 category, where they line-up alongside Czech veteran Miroslav Zapletal and fellow Saudi Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri.
The fiercest competition is likely to come in the FIA T3 and T4 categories: 12 Can-Am Mavericks will contest the T3 lightweight prototype section and a further seven will line-up in T4.
Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Saif may see himself as the pre-event favourite to win T3 but rivals from the UAE, Spain, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal include Dania Akeel - the 2021 T3 World Champion in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies - Fernando Alvarez, Filipe Nascimento, Pavel Silnov and Thomas Bell.
Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri will arrive in the Hashemite Kingdom straight from competing in this weekend’s Qatar International Rally. He will replace a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X for a less powerful Can-Am all-terrain vehicle and faces the likes of the experienced Dutchman Kees Koolen, Brazil’s Cristiano de Sousa, Lithuania’s Valeiša Egidijus and Spain’s Eduard Pons across some of the most spectacular and challenging terrain in Jordan’s world renowned Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba.
Twenty-three motorcycles, six quads and two SSVs will tackle the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup. At the head of the two-wheel field, two-time event winner Mohammed Al-Balooshi (2019 and 2021) lines up against the likes of local rider Abdullah Abu Aisha, Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti and additional bikers from Australia, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Saudi Arabian riders dominated last year’s FIM Bajas World Cup and Haitham Al-Tuwaijri, Hani Al-Noumesi and Faisal Al-Suwayh top a six-strong field that also includes local entrant Saif Al-Abbadi on his Yamaha 450 YF.
Jordan Motorsport is also running a National status rally behind the main FIA Baja. A dozen crews have entered this category, with Al-Mashna Al-Shammeri leading the way in his Nissan Patrol from competitors representing Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Gaith Qubti, Al-Hassan Khatib and Hashem Kalbouneh represent the host nation.
The Jordan Baja will be based at the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort, while the start and finish will take place at the Old Port in Aqaba City on the Red Sea.

Support for the 2022 Jordan Baja comes from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.

For further media information: Jordan Baja Media Service, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
www.jordanbaja.com

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Qatar Baja 2022: Qatar set to host joint FIA and FIM Baja event in march

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Qualifying Stage to be held close to Lusail Sports Arena
Weekend off-road action across the north, south and centre of Qatar

This year’s Qatar International Baja will be a counting round of both the FIM Bajas World Cup and a new FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas for the first time. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has announced the three-day event will take place on March 24th-26th.

The two Bajas will run in parallel but the respective routes and programmes will not be the same. The Baja has been devised in such a way as to reduce the clash between the FIA and FIM categories as much as possible.

The Qatar International Baja will again be based at the Lusail Sports Arena, which will also host the customary service park, administration checks, scrutineering and the finish of the rally.

Rally officials have confirmed that the Qualifying Stage that determines starting orders for the first of the desert selective sections will also be held close to Lusail Sports Arena.

Four desert stages have been planned for FIM entrants and three for FIA teams: the opener is for the FIM event only and heads through the deserts of central Qatar, the second and third cross terrain through the centre and north of the country and the final timed selective passes through central and southern regions.

On Thursday, March 24th, the FIM contingent will tackle the 10km Qualifying Stage in the morning and then a first stage of 125km. FIA entrants will only tackle the Qualifying Stage in the afternoon.

FIM entrants will compete over stages B and C (125km apiece) on Friday, March 25th, while FIA teams will tackle C before B.

On the final day (Saturday, March 26th), FIM riders and drivers compete over a short 125km stage D and FIA teams end their desert action with a stage D that runs for 200km and begins 75km before the start of the FIM special.

The FIA announced in December that the new 2022 FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas will consist of four rounds in Jordan (February 17th-19th), Qatar, Saudi Arabia (November 10th-12th) and Dubai (December 1st-3rd).

The Regional Cup will offer awards for drivers, co-drivers, teams, T3 and T4 drivers and T4 teams with the best three scores to count from the four rounds. No FIA registration is required to score points.

This year’s FIM Bajas World Cup will be fought out over nine scoring events with a coefficient of one and the finale in Dubai in December with a scoring coefficient of two. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan hosts round one next month, before further scoring rounds take place in Qatar, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, two in Chile, a second event in Portugal and Saudi Arabia.

The final in Dubai is open to all competitors, but in order to have a chance of being ranked in the FIM Bajas World Cup classification, competitors must have finished one of the previous nine events and scored points on it. The final classification will be determined on the basis of the best two results in the series, in addition to the points awarded in Dubai.

This is valid across the motorcycle, quad and SSV categories and in the Junior Women’s and Veteran classes.

Motorcycles up to 450cc (single or twin cylinder, 2T or 4T) will be eligible in the FIM Bajas World Cup, in addition to quads and SSVs. Riders of motorcycles over 450cc will be able to compete but, as per the 2022 regulations, will not score points for the Cup.

Last year’s Qatar event was open to FIM and National status competitors only and ran in October as the fifth round of the FIM Bajas World Cup. Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi, Saudi Arabia’s Haitham Al-Tuwaijri and Qatar’s Ahmed Al-Kuwari won their respective motorcycle, quad and SSV categories.

The revised 2022 Baja will again be held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari.
For further event information, competitors and teams can contact Davy Patterson, the Competitor Liaison Officer (CRO), Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and WhatsApp: +44 7980 613944.
Entries open on Tuesday, February 1st and close at reduced rates on Monday, February 21st with a final cut-off set for Monday, March 14th. Supplementary regulations are available from tomorrow (Monday).
For general information about the 2022 Qatar International Baja, contact the Qatar Motor and Motor Cycle Federation (QMMF), P.O. Box 8708, Doha, Qatar, Tel: + 974 443 79885, Fax: + 974 443 79732, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and www.qmmf.com

 

www.qmmf.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Jordan Baja 2022: Jordan Motorsport unveils new-look Jordan Baja for February

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New selective section with varied terrain and demanding dunes in Wadi Araba

The 2022 Jordan Baja returns to the international spotlight as the second round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, round one of the FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the first event in the FIM Bajas World Cup on February 17th-19th.

Blessed with a slightly earlier date in the calendar - that may see competitors cross the stunning desert terrain of the world-renowned Wadi Rum in southern Jordan in cooler late winter temperatures - Jordan Motorsport has again laid on a challenging route for the Hashemite Kingdom’s flagship off-road event.

Competitors in each of the three international championships will face 471 competitive kilometres over two legs in a route of 664.13km laid on by rally officials under FIA Clerk of the Course Khaled Zakaria, his deputy Omar Zarour and their experienced organising team. Zarour will also act as the Clerk of the Course of the FIM event.

The Jordan Baja will be based at the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort and the start and finish will take place at the Old Port in Aqaba City on the Red Sea.

Scrutineering, administrations checks and the pre-event press conference and ceremonial start will take place on Thursday, February 17th, before the competitive action takes centre stage on February 18th and 19th.

Event regulations have now been submitted for FIA approval with teams set to face one selective section of 319km through Wadi Rum on leg one and a second stage of 152km on the final day.

The second timed section runs through Wadi Araba and offers a totally new challenge to competitors with different terrain and a series of medium and high sand dunes. Picturesque Wadi Araba runs from the Gulf of Aqaba to the southern shore of the Dead Sea and is another jewel in Jordan’s scenic geographical crown.

Entries are now open and a closing date has been set for Saturday. February 5th

“The team is now putting the finishing touches to everything and we are looking forward to welcoming world-class motorsport back to Jordan,” said Zaid Balqez, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
“We are blessed with some of the most spectacular terrain on the planet and our competitors will be able to appreciate the beauty of the region that has been showcased frequently by numerous blockbuster Hollywood films, including The Martian, Aladdin, Dune and Star Wars.”

Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Seaidan is the defending champion in the FIA category after pipping Dutchman Erik van Loon to victory last March. Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi was a comfortable winner of the motorcycle section and Saudi Arabia’s Hani Al-Noumesi was the sole finisher in the international quad category in 2021.

For further information, contact Jordan Motorsport, P.O. Box 143222, Bayader Wadi Seer, 11814, Jordan, Tel: +962 (6) 5850626, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Source Jordan Motorsport

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Hail Cross-Country Rally 2021: Nasser Al-Attiyah wraps up fifth World Championship in style in Saudi Arabia

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Nasser Al-Attiyah has completed his perfect preparation for the upcoming Dakar by winning the Hail Rally. The victory sees the Qatari driver crowned champion of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies for a fifth time.

Rally wins in Andalucia, Morocco and Abu Dhabi had brought Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel to the cusp of their fourth World Cup winning season as a pair. Despite three-time Dakar winner Al-Attiyah and his French co-driver only needing a handful of points at the Hail Rally, the duo blasted their way to victory at the season finale.

“It was fantastic and we are obviously very happy with the result. I am so happy to win this race and to win the World Cup title.” – Nasser Al-Attiyah

The next appointment for Al-Attiyah and Baumel is also in Saudi Arabia as the country hosts its third Dakar Rally next month. The Toyota Gazoo Racing pair will be at the controls of the all-new T1+ version of their Hilux when the Dakar departs from Hail on January 2.

“This was the last time for me in this car. The next step will be the T1+ in Dakar!” – Nasser Al-Attiyah

Al-Attiyah and Baumel’s dominance this week saw them win three of the four stages in Hail. The only other race crew to record a stage win was Kuba Przygonski of Poland and his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk. A rollercoaster ride in Saudi Arabia eventually saw this pair park their MINI JCW Buggy in sixth place overall

“The Hail Rally was very good preparation for the Dakar, as there will definitely be a few stages in this area in January.” – Kuba PrzygonskiIt was also a useful trip to Dakar territory for Spaniard Laia Sanz as she switches to racing on four wheels. After completing 11 consecutive editions of the Dakar on a bike, Sanz will race the next Dakar in a MINI ALL4 Racing. Sanz guided her new vehicle to an eighth place finish at the Hail Rally alongside co-driver Maurizio Gerini of Italy.

“We were surprised by our good pace, a lot closer to the front from what we were thinking. Maurizio and myself are understanding each other better each day and we look forward to the next one!” – Laia Sanz

Next up for the best desert racers on the planet is the 2022 Dakar, departing from Hail on January 2 and finishing in Jeddah on January 14. Keep up-to-date with the entire Red Bull Desert Wings convoy on Red Bull Motorsports’ social media: Red Bull Motorsport Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Desert Wings Instagram

QUOTES

Nasser Al-Attiyah: “It was a good last stage and completely different to the first three. It was all gravel through the mountains. It was fantastic and we are obviously very happy with the result. I am so happy to win this race and to win the World Cup title. It was a great win. This was the last time for me in this car. The next step will be the T1+ in Dakar!”

Kuba Przygonski: “The Hail Rally was very good preparation for the Dakar, as there will definitely be a few stages in this area in January. We tested a few things on the MINI JCW Buggy and now feel better in the car.”

Laia Sanz: “We are very happy because we were able to learn so much. These days, we got to understand and know the Mini better. We were surprised by our good pace, a lot closer to the front from what we were thinking. Maurizio and myself are understanding each other better each day and we look forward to the next one! We made some rookie mistakes but this is why we came here, so that these things happen now and not in the Dakar.”

 

Source: Red Bull
Photo: Marian Chytka/Red Bull Content Pool

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Hail Cross-Country Rally 2021: Marek Gozcal and Saleh Al-Saif seal T4 and T3 victories

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South Racing-built Can-Ams dominated both the FIA T3 and T4 categories at the Hail Cross-Country Rally in Saudi Arabia, with Poland’s Marek Goczal sealing the win in T4 and local driver Saleh Al-Saif claiming victory in T3.

South Racing machines dominated both categories on the demanding four-day desert finale to the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies that had already seen American racer Austin Jones claim the FIA T4 World Championship title in a South Racing Can-Am and the South Racing Can-Am Team confirm the FIA Teams’ title.

Michal Goczal and his co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk became embroiled in a tussle with brother Marek Goczal and his navigator Lukasz Laskawiec for overall T4 honours in two Energylandia Rally Team Can-Ams built by South Racing. Gearbox issues thwarted Michal’s challenge on day three and he finished fifth, but Marek managed to secure a first victory by the margin of 31min 55sec and finished a superb seventh in the overall rally classification.

Australia’s Molly Taylor and Dale Moscatt used the event as a valuable test session before the Dakar Rally in January and the talented female driver reached the finish in second position in T4 and 10th overall.

“We made it to the end after a great week with a lot of learning,” said Taylor. “The final stage was not ideal. We had a puncture. But we made it through in P2 overall. The rally gave us a taste of everything that we can expect on the Dakar.”

South Racing Middle East’s Thomas Bell teamed up with Bruno Jacomy to finish third after the Ukraine’s fourth-placed Ievgen Kovalevych incurred time penalties for failing to finish the second stage.

“It was a great rally for South Racing and South Racing Middle East,” said Bell. “Some spectacular routes this week and fantastic stages.”

Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Saif and Egor Okhotikov secured a comfortable win in the FIA T3 section, the local driver finishing 47min 24sec clear of his nearest rival.

Saudi female driver Mashael Al-Obaidan teamed up with Italy’s Jacopo Cerruti and drove a South Racing Middle East-run Can-Am superbly to finish second, despite a roll in the dunes

Her compatriot Dania Akeel had already won the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas T3 title and the Saudi reached the finish in fourth with French navigator Antonia de Roissard. Germany’s Annett Fischer teamed up with Sweden’s Annie Seel and ran a South Racing-built Can-Am under the X-raid banner to round off the podium places with a fastest time on SS1 to boot.

“It was a super-fast and rocky last stage,” said Fischer. “We tried to push a bit but there was a lot of dust. It was good preparation for us for the Dakar. It was our first race together. We had a lot to learn and it came together well with P3 and I got my first ever stage win on day one.”

“I am so happy to finish the Hail Rally,” said Akeel. “The whole last stage was flat and fast. I love going fast. I enjoy the dunes but the last day was fun. The whole week was an incredible experience for me.”

The Russian duo of Pavel Lebedev and Kirill Shubin suffered a crash and broken suspension on the first stage, sat out the next two days and returned to win the last special and secure sixth position.

South Racing Can-Am Team’s Scott Abraham said: “Hail was the end of a very eventful FIA cross-country season for the team. It was a first win for Marek. He has been close a lot of times and sealed the deal here. Molly reached the podium on her second only cross-country race and proved that she has the pace to hang with the boys. Thomas Bell was third in the T4.

“In the T3s it was the same with Saleh Al-Saif in one of our cars and Mashael finishing in second and Annett finishing in third. It was a strong event for the ladies. It has been a great year for the team and Can-Am. The next challenge for us is Dakar 2022.”

 

As it happened

The four days of desert competition began with a selective section of 258.14km. Saleh Al-Saif topped the times in the T3 section in his Can-Am, the Saudi beating Fischer to the stage win by 4min 51sec. Al-Obaidan came home in third, with Anvar Ergashev in fourth place and Akeel finishing sixth with additional time penalties after a heavy landing in camel grass broke one of the steering arms.

An accident sidelined Lebedev with damaged suspension and the Russian duly earned a fistful of time penalties.

Michal Goczal moved into eighth in the overall classification, won the T4 stage in his Can-Am and finished 9min 43sec in front of Taylor. The Pole’s brother Marek was third, despite a bent suspension arm, while Kovalevych and Bell rounded off the top five.

Action continued with a longer second stage of 314km. Three South Racing-built Can-Ams found themselves in the overall top 10, with Michal Goczal heading brother Marek and Taylor. Marek and Michal Goczal later benefited from 17min 22sec and 13min 41sec time deductions when their path through the opening stage was analysed by rally officials.

“The stage was marvellous,” said Marek Goczal. “We got together with my brother to the first waypoint because we couldn’t find it. We were racing and driving together all the way to the finish line. We really increased the tempo after the refuelling. It reminded me of my dream Dakar stage. For moments like this, it is really worth racing..”

Bell moved up to fourth after Kovalevych incurred time penalties for not completing the stage after an accident. “After km80 we made a mistake at the left turn, the sand was very soft and we rolled a couple of times,” said Kovalevych. “We were the first to finish. We bent the rear arm, broke the rear drive shaft but we assembled the car and slowly made our way to the finish through the dunes.”

Al-Saif topped the T3 times in his Can-Am, the Saudi beating Al-Obaidan by 20min 06sec and Dania Akeel by 36min 02sec. The result meant that Al-Obaidan overhauled Fischer to snatch second in the rankings and Akeel moved up to fourth. Lebedev sat out the stage and incurred further time penalties.

“No problems with the car and I drove to my comfort level,” said Akeel. “I didn’t take any risks. It makes me a little disappointed after my mistake on day one.”

Day three’s timetable included a selective section of 249km. Gearbox woes spelt the end of Michal Goczal’s challenge for T4 honours and the Pole slipped out of contention as his brother Marek claimed the stage win and moved 25min 37sec ahead of Taylor in the rankings. Kovalevych came home third on the day.

“It was not a good stage for us, we broke the gearbox 30km after the start,” said Michal Goczal. “We are not happy because we were in the first position. Now we will push on the last day. Maybe we accumulate the luck for the Dakar.”

In T3, another stage win enabled Al-Saif to increase his advantage over Al-Obaidan to 44min 37sec. Fischer was third on the day and held a similar position in the standings, with Akeel and Lebedev filling fourth and sixth, Akeel frustrated by a couple of navigational delays during the day.

Michal Goczal bounced back strongly to win the short final stage of 148km in the T4 section, the Pole beating his brother Marek by 2min 56sec, although the latter secured the T4 category win from Taylor and Bell.

Lebedev returned to action to win the stage in the T3 section, but second-placed Al-Saif had done enough to claim the category win. Al-Obaidan and Fischer were a distant second and third.

Support for the South Racing Can-Am Team came from Method Wheels, Tensor Tires, Motul, Bell, Jjuan Brake Systems, Lazer and OMP

Both the South Racing Can-Am Team and South Racing Middle East now switch their attention to the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in January.

2021 Hail Cross-Country Rally – FIA T4 result:

1. Marek Goczal (POL)/Lukasz Laskawiec (POL) Can-Am Maverick 12hr 11min 19sec
2. Molly Taylor (AUS)/Dale Moscatt (AUS) South Racing Can-Am Maverick 12hr 43min 14sec
3. Thomas Bell (GBR)/Bruno Jacomy (ITA) South Racing ME Can-Am Maverick 13hr 50min 08sec
4. Ievgen Kovalevych (UKR)/Dmitro Tsyro ((UKR) South Racing Can-Am Maverick 34hr 18min 54sec
5. Michal Goczal (POL)/Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) Can-Am Maverick 38hr 24min 19sec

2021 Hail Cross-Country Rally – FIA T3 result:

1. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU)/Egor Okhotikov (RUS) South Racing ME Can-Am Maverick XRS 13hr 00min 10sec
2. Mashael Al-Obaidan (SAU)/Jacopo Cerutti (ITA) South Racing ME Can-Am Maverick X3 13hr 47min 34sec
3. Annett Fischer (DEU)/Annie Seel (SWE) X-Raid/South Racing Can-Am Maverick XRS 14hr 12min 33sec
4. Dania Akeel (SAU)/Antonia de Roissard (FRA) South Racing ME Can-Am Maverick 15hr 18min 51sec
5. Esraa Aldkheil (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am X3 RR 36hr 51min 19sec
6. Pavel Lebedev (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) South Racing Can-Am Maverick XRS 96hr 00min 16sec

Sorce South Racing

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Hail Cross-Country Rally 2021: All four MINI in the top ten

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Krotov and Halpern on the podium
Sixth place for Przygonski, eighth for Sanz

The Hail Rally in Saudi Arabia proved to be a good dress rehearsal for X-raid. All four MINI that started the desert race – three MINI JCW Buggy and one MINI ALL4 Racing – ended the final round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country-Rallies in the top ten. Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov finished a very good second place, ahead of their MINI JCW Buggy team-mates from Argentina, Sebastian Halpern and Bernardo “Ronnie” Graue. Jakub “Kuba” Przygonski (POL) and Timo Gottschalk (GER) finished sixth in another MINI JCW Buggy, while Laia Sanz (ESP) and Maurizio Gerini (ITA) came home eighth in their MINI ALL4 Racing.

Drivers Krotov and Halpern showed particularly impressive consistency throughout the Hail Rally. They finished in the top five on all four stages and lost very little time at all. This was in contrast to most of their rivals, who encountered problems at least once. As a result, Krotov took finished runner-up for the second rally in a row, having also done so in Kazakhstan. Third place for Sebastian Halpern was his best result of the season.

“We have all learned a lot,” said Halpern at the finish. “We are faster and the team was able to give me some helpful advice on how I can improve. I am delighted with that. It was also good preparation for the Dakar. I had never been here and had no idea what kind of terrain to expect. Ronnie did a great job. Navigation was not easy yesterday and today.”

Przygonski and Gottschalk went through an emotional rollercoaster: After finishing third on day one and taking victory on the second stage, they lost almost 40 minutes as a result of a technical issue on day three. That saw them drop to sixth place in the overall standings, and they went on to finish the rally in precisely that position.

“The Hail Rally was very good preparation for the Dakar, as there will definitely be a few stages in this area in January,” said Przygonski. “We tested a few things on the MINI JCW Buggy and now feel better in the car.”

The Hail Rally was only the second outing in a MINI ALL4 Racing for Sanz, and the first rally with her new co-driver Gerini. As a result, the focus was more on preparation for the Dakar than on the actual result. The pair consistently finished in the top ten and ended their dress rehearsal in eighth place overall.

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Hail Rally overall standings
1. N. Al-Attiyah /M. Baumel – Toyota – 10h 50m 23s
2. D. Krotov / K. Zhiltsov – MINI JCW Buggy – 11h 12m 14s
3. S. Halpern / R. Graue – MINI JCW Buggy – 11h 19m 07
4. V. Vasilyev / O. Uperenko – BMW X5 – 11h 19m 50s
5. L. Alvarez / A. Monleon – Toyota – 11h 25m 31s
6. J. Przygonski / T. Gottschalk – MINI JCW Buggy – 11h 38m 38s

8. L. Sanz / M. Gerini – MINI ALL4 Racing – 12h 14m 10s

 

Source X-Raid

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