The third season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge is set to begin this Saturday in the Tilal Swaihan area of Al Ain. The event is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) in cooperation with the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO).
The opening round will see the participation of around 100 competitors from 31 countries, including over 25 Emirati drivers and riders, bringing together an exciting mix of professional and amateur participants.
The event promises a thrilling atmosphere filled with excitement, competition, and adventure across the golden dunes of Tilal Swaihan, one of the UAE’s most renowned desert destinations for off-road racing enthusiasts.
The first round will feature 62 motorcycles, 8 quads (ATVs), 8 cars, and 22 buggies, tackling a challenging 100-kilometre desert course made up of five laps through Al Ain’s soft sands — offering a true test of skill, speed, and endurance.
Competitors will represent a diverse lineup of countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Portugal, South Africa, Australia, the United States, India, Russia, China, Japan, Lebanon, Jordan, Canada, Uzbekistan, Switzerland, Poland, and Brazil, among others.
“Once again, the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge unites professionals and amateurs in a thrilling yet safe competitive environment, conducted in line with the highest safety standards for the opening round of the season,” said Talal Mustafa Al Hashemi, Executive Director of Events at the ADSC.
Al Hashemi noted that the championship will consist of four rounds, with the overall winners determined based on cumulative points from all events, and champions crowned after the final round.
He continued, “Through organising such events, we reaffirm the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s commitment to developing local driver talent and encouraging their participation in major international championships both within and beyond the UAE. We also value our ongoing partnership with the Emirates Motorsports Organisation, our strategic collaborator in this initiative.”
Regarding the event schedule, organisers confirmed that administrative and technical scrutineering will take place on Friday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
On race day, registration will run from 6:00 am to 7:30 am, followed by the drivers’ briefing. The official start is scheduled for 8:30 am, with the podium ceremony set for 11:45 am at the designated finish line awards area.
(Inputs from WAM)
