Mohammed Ben Sulayem: Dubai International Baja Competitors in the Best Terrains of the UAE 27.01.2018: Dubai International Baja under the Patronage of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai

Dubai International Baja under the Patronage of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai



The rally attracts a large number of contestants representing more than 40 countries





Dubai International Baja will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. The rally is the second round of the World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and buggies, and the first round of the World Cup for motorcycles and quad bikes.



Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE, expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his kind patronage of the event, which will elevate the rally to a prestigious position, especially as it officially represents one of the world championship stages.




He also extended his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Dubai Ruler's Court for their collaboration and support in organizing this international event, which will take place between the 8th and 10th of March, stressing that the success of the event began with the attention and care it is receiving from His Highness Dubai Ruler's Court and the patronage of His Highness the Crown Prince of Dubai.



He also spoke about the details of the event, in which the best Rally drivers and motorcyclists in the world are participating. Ben Sulayem promised that all competitors will be able to compete in one of the most exciting competitions when the Dubai International Baja 2018 will start and put the UAE on the global sports arena again.



Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the rally route officials had confirmed that its extended stages through the desert of Al Qudra would provide an exciting competition for international elite of drivers, motorists, buggy drivers, and quad bikers.



"The UAE has some of the best desert terrain in the world for this type of rally, and the beginning of the Dubai International Baja route will include different terrain for each rider."



"We have all the necessary requirements for a world-class desert rally, with large sand dunes, small dunes and sweeping steppe plains, with the best Al Qudra desert can offer for a world-class event."



The Dubai International Baja is expected to be attended by professional and amateur drivers of both sexes coming from more than 40 countries. As the organizing body of this event, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) is proud of the strong Emirati participation in the Rally.



The Dubai International Baja is considered the oldest motor sport event in the UAE and has been held annually since the late 1970s and has been organized by the ATCUAE since 1997.



Until 2015, the Rally was held as a round of the Middle East Rally Championship under the auspices of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). Mohammed Ben Sulayem, current president of the ATCUAE, holds the record for most of the victories at the Middle East Rally Championship, with 14 wins between 1985 and 2002.



To take advantage of the increasing demand for the World Rally Championship in the region and around the world, the ATCUAE and the Government of Dubai took an early decision in 2016 to reorganize the rally to include the two categories of cars and motorcycles and upgrade it from the Middle East Rally to the World Rally Championship.



Following the tremendous success of the Dubai International Baja in 2016 and 2017, this year’s Rally will be held as a round of the World Rally Championship (FIA)—together with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge—and the World Motorcycle Championship (FIM).



The rally will be from 8 - 10 March 2018 and includes technical inspection and documenting of cars, motorcycles and quad bikes on the first day. The race will then begin with the full support of Dubai Police and Civil Defense.

-ATCUAE  also photo