ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The fourth and final round of the third season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge concluded in the Remah desert in Al Ain, attracting 94 competitors from more than 20 nationalities in a strong end to the cross-country rally series.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with the Emirates Motorsports Organisation, the event brought together a diverse field of professional and amateur racers across multiple disciplines, reinforcing the championship’s growing standing on the regional and international desert motorsport calendar.
Activities began on Friday with the opening of the race village, where competitors completed administrative checks and vehicle scrutineering.
The venue also hosted team gatherings and informal activities, offering participants an opportunity to prepare for the decisive round in a competitive yet social setting.
Saturday’s race programme got under way early, with the event village opening at 6am, followed by final registration procedures and technical inspections.
A competitors’ briefing at 8.15am outlined route details and safety requirements ahead of the start.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Director of the International Events Department at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, officially flagged off the race, with the car category leading the field away at 9am. The motorcycle category followed immediately, as riders and drivers tackled a challenging desert course marked by varied terrain and testing navigation.
Motorcycles accounted for the largest share of the field, with more than 55 riders competing across classes including 450cc, over 450cc, Marathon and Adventure, as well as youth, veterans and women’s categories.
The buggy division featured around 20 competitors in Pro and Stock classes, while nine entrants contested the quad category and a further nine lined up in the auto division across T1, T3 and T4 classes.
The round also highlighted increasing female participation in desert motorsport, with several women competing across different categories, reflecting broader growth in the discipline across the region.
An international line-up added further depth to the competition, with entrants representing countries including the UAE, United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, India, Germany and the United States, among others.
Competitors began crossing the finish line shortly before 11am, with teams and spectators gathering at the race village for the conclusion of the stage.
The prize-giving ceremony followed, attended by Ayed Al Ahbabi, Director of the Legal Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Maher Al Badri, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Motorsports Organisation and Captain Mohammed Al Mazrouei of Al Ain Police.