Dubai International Baja: A Thrilling Finale for the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups

The Dubai International Baja is gearing up to be a pivotal event, taking place from November 20 to 23, 2025. This will mark the culmination of a captivating season for both the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups. Hosted at Dubai Festival City, this ninth edition promises high-stakes competition with a lineup of 46 vehicles, featuring categories including Ultimate, Challenger, SSV, and the increasingly popular Stock class, targeted at series-production cross-country vehicles.

A Diverse Field of Competitors

Among the entrants, 12 teams are registered in the Ultimate category, while the Challenger category boasts nine participants. The SSV category sees a strong showing with 19 entries, and the Stock class has six contenders. Notably, 15 crews will compete for points in the FIA World Baja Cup, while nine will vie for the FIA Middle East Baja Cup.

The event enjoys the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. His support underscores the importance of the Baja in the region’s motorsport landscape.

Title Contenders: Yacopini and Oliveras

Juan Cruz Yacopini and Dani Oliveras are in a strong position to secure the FIA World Baja Cup title. With four victories out of five events in Jordan, Italy, Spain, and Qatar, the duo has accumulated 403 points in the Drivers’ and Navigators’ Championships. Although they have solidified their lead in the Ultimate category, they are not yet guaranteed the overall titles.

Following closely are Mitchel van den Brink and navigator Bart van Heun of the South Racing Can-Am Team. They recently clinched the SSV title in Qatar and have secured maximum points in their previous events in Greece and Portugal. Despite trailing Yacopini and Oliveras by 62 points, they still hold the potential to challenge for the championship.

In the Challenger category, Miroslav Zapletal and navigator Marek Sykora have achieved the necessary scores for a podium finish, while the leaders from the Challenger category, Sergei Remennik and Aleksei Ignatov, confirmed their championship victory in Qatar.

An Exciting Race for Podium Places

The upcoming event will see fierce competition for podium spots, particularly in the SSV category. British competitor Paul Severn and Omani driver Hamed Al-Wahaibi are set to go head-to-head, joined by Maha Al-Hameli and Eugenio Amos, all of whom are eager to secure their standing in the final rankings. Notably, Amerigo Ventura from Quaddy Racing will not participate, as he has already completed six scores.

After battling back from recent health issues, Fernando Alvarez returns to the competition, alongside Saudi driver Abdullah Al-Haydan and Emirati Mansour Al-Helai, both participating with Can-Am vehicles.

In the Stock category, Majed Al-Thunayyan leads by a slim margin over Fernando Barreiros and José Sa Pirés. As the championship progresses toward its conclusion in the UAE, all eyes will be on their showdown.

A Competitive Environment for Newcomers

Many non-registered drivers are also keen to make an impact at the season finale. This includes renowned figures like Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi, who will be racing a Toyota Hilux, as well as the duo of Seth Quintero and Toby Price from Toyota Gazoo Racing, who are using this event as a vital pre-Dakar test. Their participation, along with entrants like Maria Gameiro and Ronan Chabot, adds further excitement to the mixed field.

A Thrilling Finale Awaits

As competitors gear up for the Dubai International Baja, there’s much at stake not just for individual drivers but also for their teams. Key events leading up to the final stages involve administrative checks and scrutineering, followed by a series of races through challenging terrains that promise to test the mettle of all participants.

Event Schedule Highlights

• Thursday, November 20: Administrative and scrutineering checks are scheduled, plus a pre-event press conference.
• Friday, November 21: A 5.64km Prologue will take place at Leem Lake in Hatta.
• Saturday, November 22: The first stage will cover 195.24km through Al-Faqa’a and the Al-Qudra desert.
• Sunday, November 23: A concluding stage of 195.63km will determine the champions before returning to Dubai Festival City for the awards ceremony.

With so many competitors and races still to unfold, the Dubai International Baja promises to offer an exhilarating conclusion to the racing season in the Middle East.

Conclusion

In a thrilling atmosphere where rivalries intensify, and victories are within reach, the Dubai International Baja encapsulates the spirit of motorsport. As the countdown begins, spectators and participants alike are gearing up for an unforgettable finale.