Quintero, Dabrowski and Ahli set pace as Dubai Baja begins with Hatta showdown

The curtain has finally risen on the climax of the international off-road rally season.

After months of eager anticipation, the ninth edition of Dubai International Baja is under way with Seth Quintero, Konrad Dabrowski and Abdulaziz Ahli setting the pace in the scenic surroundings of Friday’s 5.64km prologue in Hatta.

After missing out by fractions of a second in the 2024 prologue in Hatta, US Dakar star Seth Quintero made no mistake this time round to take the early overall lead of the event in his Toyota Hilux.

Partnered by Andrew Short, Quintero charged to the line after in a time of 4m32.1s, just 2.2s faster than the Ford Raptor of Czechia’s Martin Prokop with FIA World Baja Cup champion elect Juan Cruz Yacopini of Argentina third in another Toyota.

Poland’s Konrad Dabrowski has begun his quest for back to back Dubai International Baja titles in emphatic fashion, the 24-year-old scorching through Hatta on his Duust KTM 450 Rally a full seven seconds faster than Frenchman Jean-Loup Lepan with another Frenchman, Mathieu Doveze in third, 12 seconds off the lead.

“I felt quite okay,” Dabrowski said afterwards. “It was a lot a lot more difficult than it looked on the video. It was really slippery. The rocks were kicking and it was not very pleasant but I did my best, I felt quite good on the bike and I hope the result will be nice.

It was a less conspicuous start for two-time event winner and local favourite Mohammed Al-Balooshi, the World Cup leader ceding 1m42s to Dabrowski after being forced to stop to on the stage but relaxed knowing that days two and three will play a bigger role in the destination of overall honours.

“It was too slippery,’ said the two-time event winner and FIM World Cup  Bajas leader. “Today, for me, I was not comfortable, so I took it easy. And then I had a rock stuck in my front sprocket. So I just stopped and removed it just before turn 16.

“I'm happy. It's better. Tomorrow, the rally starts. Today it's for bragging rights. I don't need to brag.”

Another local rider Abdulaziz Ahli continues his dominance of the Quad category and will carry the lead into the Al Qudra desert on Saturday.

In the final round of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup Saudi star Dania Akeel has a narrow points advantage over Qatari Khalifa S. Al-Attiya and Akeel holds the early advantage after Friday’s running, her ninth fastest time overall good enough to give her a 6.6s lead.

Opening the road for the international competitors were the first crews into action in the National Class with Maksim Deikin, Ruslan Gubaev and Francesco Dracone setting the pace on day one.

Following the opening test in the unique beauty of Hatta the crews returned to Dubai Festival City Mall for spectacular Ceremonial Start where the crews were presented to the large crowd and the visiting dignitaries including the FIA President, His Excellency Mohammed ben Sulayem, H.E. Minister Omar Sultan Al-Ulama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and other dignitaries.

The record entry of FIA and FIM Baja World Cup crews now turn their attention to the 390km challenge awaiting them on Saturday and Sunday in Dubai’s formidable Al Qudra Desert.

Following the Friday’s establishment of a classification and starting order, the event continues on Saturday morning with the first competitor rolling out from the Dubai Festival Mall Service Park at 8am.

From there the will make their way to the start of the action proper at the distinctive arch made of Ghaf trees at the new spectator area at Al Marmoom in the Al Qudra Desert for 195km of driving and riding on the Al -Futtaim Toyota special stage.

Competitors will complete their special stage action from 1.30pm and are due back to the popular surroundings of the Dubai Festival Mall Service Park from 3pm.

The Dubai International Baja is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai and is expertly organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO).

The Baja is supported by the strategic collaboration of the Dubai Government and its entities, including the Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, Road and Transport Authority, and Dubai Municipality as well as the event’s Official Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota. The Dubai International Baja also counts with the support of Hydration Partner Al Ain Water and Dubai Sports TV.