2023 Saudi Baja-Hail
FIM Bajas World Cup, round 1
February 2-4, 2023
Less than three weeks after the Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia is hosting the first Baja of the 2023 season in Hail. Three days of racing in the desert over sandy tracks, open desert and dunes are in the programme for a total of 431.59 competitive kilometres
Of the 31 motorcycles and five quads that are registered, we find Sarah Khuraibet (Husqvarna) and Sarah Kashyap (Beta) in the Women's category and Alex McInnes (Husqvarna) in the Juniors. There are six Veterans: Barry Howe (KTM), Mohammed Al-Kaabi (KTM), Philip Wilson (KTM), Gerard Lubbinge (KTaM), Andrew Houlihan (Husqvarna) and Mahanna Rashid Al-Naimi (Honda).
For the overall victory, it will be necessary to look out for the defending champion Mohammed Al-Balooshi who, like his brother Sultan, is a two-time winner of the event. The two Emiratis will be in contention along with the Saudi rider Mishal Al-Ghuneim (KTM), who climbed to the top step of the podium in 2021. In addition, young McInnes is capable of racing at the front of the field, just like the Jordanian rider Abdullah Abu Aishah (KTM).
RHAIL-IB-6884
Haiytham Aitwaijri ©RallyZone
In the quad category, Haitham Ai-Tuwaijri was the winner last year and will have a lot to do to contain Hani Al-Noumesi, Abdulaziz Al-Atawi, Abdulaziz Ahli and Sultan Al-Masoud, all riding Yamahas.
The 2023 FIM Bajas World Cup has a total of eight events (to be confirmed), but there will no longer be a Grand Final. Only the six best results will be taken into account for the final classification.
On Wednesday (February 1), 31 motorcycles and five quads will present themselves for administrative and technical checks, which will take place at Saudi Baja HQ, the Millenium Hail Hotel.
After the ceremonial start on Thursday (February 2), riders will set off for a three-kilometre Prologue. The outcome will determine the starting order for the 229.59km (SS1B) special on Friday (February 3).
Saturday’s (February 4) second stage is 184km long, giving a total of 431.59km of selective sections.