LUSAIL (Qatar): The 2023 Qatar International Baja will be a counting round of both
the FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas and round two of the
FIM Bajas World Cup. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has
announced the event will take place on March 15 th -18 th .
The Baja will be based close to the QMMF offices at Lusail Sports Arena. The
customary service park will be located nearby and the venue will also host
administration checks and technical scrutineering.
The 2023 Baja will again run under the chairmanship of QMMF President
Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board
member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari.
Subject to FIA and FIM approval, the event will run over two legs of 251.18km and
239.43km.
After a Prologue stage of 10.02km, which will take place around 16km north of the
service park close to the Al-Bayt Stadium, on Thursday afternoon (March 16 th ) from
15.00hrs, FIA competitors will attend the ceremonial start from 20.00hrs.
They will then tackle two competitive sections of 120.43km and 120.73km on Friday,
March 17th. FIM competitors will tackle a single selective section – the two FIA
stages run in reverse order – for a total of 248.19km.
Saturday’s single selection section of 239.43km will be divided into four competitive
sections of 34.44km, 29.03km, 44.15km and 125.27km by transfer zones to
complete a total route of 836.14km, including liaison sections. The podium finish will
take place from 19.00hrs.
Final details for the revised FIM event will be released in due course.
The Baja was a counting round of both the FIA Middle East and FIM series’ for the
first time in 2022. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel won the car category
for the seventh time together in a Toyota Hilux, while young Pole Konrad Dabrowski
dominated the motorcycle category and Saudi Arabian rider Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi
topped the quad class.
T3 and T4 success in the FIA event went to WRC star Kris Meeke and local driver
Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah in their respective Can-Ams.
Entries are now open and close on Wednesday, March 1 st .
The QMMF is offering generous concessions to competitors who pass both
administration and scrutineering checks. Entrants in the FIA car, T3 and T4
categories from the GCC will be offered a shipping allowance of $3,000, with
international entrants receiving $6,000. GCC motorcycle and quad riders will be
eligible for $1,500 and $3,000 will be offered to international riders.
In addition, entry fees will be returned to competitors who pass technical checks and
are included in the official start lists. Early bird competitors registering before
Wednesday, February 15 th will receive an additional 1,000 QAR.
The QMMF will also book economy class return tickets for drivers and co-drivers after
entry fees have been paid and a twin hotel room with breakfast will be offered for
five nights.
For further event information, competitors and teams can contact Davy Patterson,
Competitor Liaison Officer (CRO), Email: davypatterson777@gmail.com and
WhatsApp: +44 7980 613944.
For general information about the 2023 Qatar International Baja, contact the Qatar
Motor and Motor Cycle Federation (QMMF), P.O. Box 8708, Doha, Qatar, Tel: + 974
443 79885, Fax: + 974 443 79732, E-mail: info@qmmf.com.qa and www.qmmf.com
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