Mansoor bin Mohammed Launches Dubai International Baja Event

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, started the eighth edition of the Dubai International Baja. This event is being organized by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO) in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council.

The Oldest Motorsport Event in the UAE

The Dubai International Baja is the oldest motorsport event in the UAE. It is an exciting off-road rally where racers from around the world come together to compete. This year, the event will be held from November 28 to December 1 and will be part of the celebrations for the 53rd Eid Al Etihad. The rally begins in the scenic area of Hatta and then moves into the difficult dunes of the Al Qudra desert in Dubai. The event is taking place at Dubai Festival City, and the racecourse is designed to test the skills and endurance of the participants.

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More Participants Than Ever

This year, the Dubai International Baja has a record number of participants, with 65 cars and 32 bikes from 37 different countries. The event will be broadcast in 190 countries worldwide. The race is also part of the 2024 FIA World Baja Cup and the 2024 FIM Bajas World Cup, and it marks the final race for both championships. It is expected to be an exciting finish to the racing season, where the final champions of these prestigious competitions will be decided.

Many important people attended the start of the event, such as His Excellency Saeed Hareb, who is the Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Mohammed Ahmed ben Sulayem, who is the President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Emirati who holds the record for the most wins in this race, with 15 victories, and Omar Abdullah Al Futtaim, the Vice Chairman and CEO of the Al Futtaim Group.

Celebrating a Historic Event

This year’s Dubai International Baja is special because it celebrates 45 years since the event first started in 1979 as the Dubai International Rally. Today, in its eighth year under the Baja format, the event continues to challenge the best racers from around the world. Over the years, the race has changed and now includes more types of vehicles. It’s not just cars but also buggies, bikes, and quads, which makes the event even more exciting and brings more competitors from different countries.

The EMSO (Emirates Motorsport Organisation) has been organizing this event since 1997. The Baja format was introduced because it is better suited to desert terrain, and it allows more vehicles, like buggies and quads, to compete, which makes it more fun for the spectators and increases the number of participants.

A Global Race That Attracts Attention

The Dubai International Baja is not just a local event; it has become well-known all over the world. It is part of the 2024 FIA World Baja Cup and the 2024 FIM Bajas World Cup, which are both major competitions in the motorsport world. The race attracts participants from many different countries, and the event is watched by motorsport fans from all over the globe.

The event is supported by many important partners. Al-Futtaim Toyota is the official car partner, ENOC is the energy partner, and the Dubai government supports the event, with help from various organizations, such as the Dubai Police, RTA (Roads and Transport Authority), and Dubai Municipality.

A Big Boost for Dubai

The Dubai International Baja is one of the most exciting and well-known motorsport events in the UAE. It is not only a big event for sports fans but also helps promote tourism and business in the region. With the continued support from the Dubai Sports Council and the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, the event will continue to grow and become even more popular in the future. This event is important because it helps to show the world that Dubai is a great place to host international sports events and is committed to becoming a global leader in sports tourism.