Quintero grabs lead with a dominant stage win at Dubai International Baja

Toyota Hilux driver Seth Quintero roared into a commanding if not yet decisive lead at the end of day two of Dubai International Baja in Al Qudra.

Following the spectacular start to the event with the prologue in Hatta and the ceremonial start in Dubai Festival City, the crews faced into the first of two days on in Al Qudra Desert where it is the frequency rather than the elevation of the dunes that creates the uniquely physical and technical challenge for which the event has become famous.

Just over 390km of desert rallying across the two days, evenly split 195km for each day of timed running, as well as long road sections to and from the Service Park at Dubai Festival City once again offer a true test of competitor and machine in the ninth edition of the event in its current baja format.

With running order and classifications established following the Friday Qualification Stage in Hatta, the first crews rolled out of Dubai festival city at 8am and headed under the distinctive arch of recently planted native Ghaf trees at 9.30am in front of the large crowd assembled at the Al Marmoom spectator area.

By the time the weary crews returned to Al Marmoom four hours later, their vehicles and clothing caked in Al Qudra sand describing the arduous nature of their morning endeavours, the stories of the day were emerging, and the hierarchy of the various classifications were clearly established.

Quintero, a winner of ten stages of Dakar, reaffirmed his status as the standout favourite for overall honours in Dubai as he followed up his Prologue victory with a 3m47s stage win over FIA Baja World Cup champion-elect Juan Cruz Yacopini with former motorcycle star Toby Price making it a Toyota Hilux podium lockout.

Price is seven minutes behind Quintero with prologue runner-up Marcin Prokop (Ford Raptor) slipping to fourth and with 12m45s to make up on the final day.

“Overall, it was a really good day,” said Quintero at the stage end. “The car was amazing, and we got through without any serious issues. The only issue I had was I cracked a fender. That was about it. If that’s our bad day, I'll take it.”

In the battle for the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, series leader Dania Akeel runs eighth overall and holds sway with a comfortable advantage heading into the final day of competition this year.

Britain’s Alex McInnes took over the lead among the motorcycle riders with an emphatic stage victory over Mohammed Al Balooshi and erstwhile leader Konrad Dabrowski who afterwards described the stage as “chaotic” having seen a rival crash in front of him.

There were no such issues for McInnes who shrugged put a problematic prologue behind him. The Dubai-based Scot made the most of a late starting slot to cruise to the top of overall standings, now holding a 2m55s advantage over Dabrowski who in turn is just six tenths of a second ahead of Al Balooshi.

“Yesterday, my bike shut off on the stage, it was dying” said McInnes, the winner of the first round of the FIM World Cup Bajas in Saudi. “I think the kill switch was stuck. So I was (starting) far in the back today.

“It was good. I had a lot of tracks to follow and I think I’m first today. Starting that far back has some advantages and some disadvantages, and it made a big difference today. And I think I made some time.

Local star Abdulaziz Ahli cruised through Stage One to further reinforce his dominance on the quads. He carries a 20-minute advantage into the final stage over Marcin Wilkolek of Poland.

The unique challenges of Dubai have again wowed competitors and spectators alike and the second consecutive visit to Hatta for the prologue along with a number of sustainability initiatives have helped make the connection between the community and the event an even stronger bond.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was present at the official start of the ceremony and was effusive in his praise for the organisation and development of an event with which he has a special connection. The Dubai International Baja is running for a ninth year in the format he introduced locally to succeed its predecessor, the Dubai Rally, which he himself won a record 15 times.

“I will praise the organizers here that they are doing a great job and also the environment is very good. The terrain is changed. You have the gravel, you have the stones, you have the Waddis. It's a different style. The sand is different. Our terrain can change, and to have a challenge with the terrain is so good. Your suspension will be changed. You're driving style will be changed. The way you think has to change.

“This is an event built on history stretching back to 1979,” said Ben Sulayem. “But it’s also one that continues to take Baja rallying forward, as shown by the introduction this year of a desert viewing zone, which gives spectators a grandstand seat and a new experience.

“The deserts of Dubai make a natural theatre for the sport, and a great test for drivers and their cars, and we have all the ingredients of a fantastic climax to both this year’s FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups.”Speaking ahead of the Al Futtain Toyota Stage One Jacques Brent, Managing Director Toyota & Lexus at Al Futtaim Automotive said:-

“This is obviously a great opportunity for us to showcase some of the Al Futtaim properties and obviously Dubai Festival City features prominently in that, where we are located for the official start, and as well, the scrutineering, which occurs in our workshop facility.

“It’s a great opportunity to show the facilities that we have, and specifically, I know there's a couple of Hiluxes in the field, and it’s always a proud moment when we see some Toyotas participating.”

The spectator zone at Al Marmoom has proved to be very popular with event supporters who get two opportunities to see each of the crews in the desert environment.

The Dubai International Baja is held under the patronage of 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.