The current FIA champion, Nasser Al Attiyah partnered with French driver Mathieu Baumel has made headlines in the Dubai Baja championship by taking a lead of 6 minutes and 12 seconds after the day’s two stages. The two were followed closely by Emirati drivers, Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi and Khalid Al Kendi. Al Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel achieved the milestone in Toyota Hilux, while their followers were racing in their Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 2008 DKR.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the ceremony at the Bab Al Shams Arena last Thursday. He was accompanied by Ebrahim Abdul Malek, general secretary, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW), and Mohammad Bin Sulayem, president, Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and Emirates Motor Sport Federation (EMSF).
Al Qasimi told the press, they would have outperformed Al Attiyah had it not been for their jack arm falling off, which had an adverse effect on their pace.
The Dubai Baja is the second series of FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies held this year. The rally was held under the supervision of crown prince of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also happens to be the chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.