The Dubai International Baja 2024, happening from November 28 to December 1, wraps up this year’s global off-road rally season. The world’s top drivers and riders are set to take on Dubai’s iconic dunes and the rocky terrain of Hatta. This motorsports event is extra special as it coincides with the UAE’s National Day celebrations.
With registration closed, the eighth edition of this major Middle Eastern motorsports event has attracted a record number of top-ranked competitors across all categories. First launched as a Baja rally in 2016, the event quickly became a favorite among fans worldwide. This year, it will also determine the FIA Baja World Cup Champion, adding even more excitement.
Portugal’s Joao Ferreira enters the event with a narrow nine-point lead after placing second in Jordan two weeks ago. He’ll face fierce competition from Argentina’s Fernando Alvarez, who previously led the series.
In the Challenger class, the stakes are equally high. Emirati driver Khalid Aljalfa and Spain’s Edoardo Pons are tied on points and for third place overall. After Aljalfa’s impressive comeback win in Jordan, local fans are hopeful for another UAE victory on home ground this Sunday.
One of the most inspiring teams in the National Event category is Austria’s Hannes Kinigadner and rally legend Sam Sunderland. Kinigadner, a former motocross rider who has been partially paralyzed since a 2003 accident, is also the founder of the renowned Wings for Life Foundation.
Sunderland, recently retired from two-wheeled competition, will be making his debut as a co-driver. This marks Kinigadner’s first time competing in Dubai and Sunderland’s first Baja rally in a car, making their participation highly anticipated.
The Dubai International Baja 2024 wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Dubai Government and its entities. This collaboration enables the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) to deliver one of the UAE’s most exciting international sports events.
Muhammad Khamis Al Muhairi, Vice President of the EMSO, expressed gratitude for this support:
“The continuous backing of the Dubai Government allows us to deliver world-class rallying. With Dubai’s epic landscapes, challenging terrains, and cutting-edge technology, this event showcases the UAE’s beauty and capabilities to audiences locally and globally.”
This year’s Baja promises unforgettable moments as competitors and fans come together to celebrate the sport and the UAE’s National Day in style.
