The second round of the third season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge is set to begin on Saturday in Liwa, located in the Al Dhafra region. The event is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with the Emirates Motorsports Organisation.
The organising committee confirmed that the round will see participation from 91 competitors representing 24 countries, including 22 Emirati drivers, featuring a mix of professional and amateur participants. Liwa’s diverse sand dunes provide an ideal terrain for short desert racing competitions.
The round will feature 58 motorcycles, 8 quads, 8 cars, and 17 buggies, competing over a 100-kilometre desert track covering four laps across Al Dhafra’s soft sand dunes, offering a unique test of skill, speed, and endurance.
Competitors hail from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the UK, Germany, France, South Africa, the USA, India, Russia, Lebanon, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland, Uzbekistan, China, Lithuania, Italy, Pakistan, Romania, Ukraine, Denmark, and Spain.
The event will showcase a strong female presence, with riders adding competitive flair across various categories, including Healy Honour (South Africa – Motorcycles), Sone Schaffler (South Africa – Motorcycles), Tracy Pia Zgheib (Lebanon – Motorcycles), Emilija Gilaznienkė (Lithuania – Buggy), and Noura Al Jasasi (UAE – Cars).
Talal Mustafa Al Hashimi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said, “Round two of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge represents an important stage in the third season, bringing together professional and amateur drivers in a competitive and thrilling atmosphere.”
The organising committee also announced that technical inspections and administrative checks will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 9:00 pm, with race-day registration scheduled from 6:00 to 7:30 am, followed by the drivers’ briefing.
The first batch of competitors will officially start at 8:30 am, with the award ceremony set for 11:00 am at the finish line podium.
(Inputs from WAM)
