Dubai, UAE, 29 January, 2017: The Automobile and Touring Club of UAE (ATCUAE) today highlighted its plans to develop the new Dubai International Baja as the nation's 2nd leading trip occasion worldwide of cross country rallying.

Occurring from 9 to 11 March in the Al Qudra desert, the three-day event is being held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Royal prince of Dubai.

The 2017 Dubai International Baja is the 2nd round of this year's FIA World Cup for Cross Nation Rallies for vehicles and buggies and the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads.

It efficiently creates a spectacular three-event Middle East desert swing for the world's leading cross country rally drivers and cyclists.

The new addition to the World Cup calendar is adhered to simply over 2 weeks later by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (1-7 April), already entrenched by the ATCUAE as a premier occasion in the FIA World Cup collection and the FIM Cross Nation Rallies World Champion, and Qatar's Sealine Cross Country Rally (16-21 April).

" We're happy to be producing a 2nd world course cross nation rally in the UAE and anticipate creating it right into among the top baja events in the FIA and FIM schedules," claimed ATCUAE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

" We say thanks to Sheikh Hamdan and the Dubai Ruler's Court for continually sustaining our initiatives to develop motor sport events which permit local competitors to share a world phase with the most effective from around the globe. I also send my individual thanks to FIA President Jean Todt for trusting our capacities and for his continuous assistance given to automobile racing in the center East."

Also supported by Dubai Sporting activity Council, Dubai Cops and Dubai Civil Defence, the Dubai International Baja has actually been included in the FIA World Cup series after the ATCUAE's success in organizing a first prospect event at Bab Al Shams last month.

A record from Richard Schilling, President of FIA World Cross Country Rally Compensation and the FIA's main viewer at the event, was full of appreciation for the level of organisation by the ATCUAE and the viability of the Al Quadra desert for a World Cup rally.

The event stands for a natural development of the Dubai International Rally which has actually had an abundant 37-year history, and whose renowned list of champions consists of Sulayem (15), Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah (10) and Swedish previous world rally champion Bjrn Waldegrd. That occasion's typical structure, limited to rally vehicles, is changed by the a lot more desert-friendly baja format which is additionally a more affordable option and open for buggies, bikes and quads, as well as vehicles.

" The Dubai International Rally has an indelible place in the history of UAE motor sport and has provided me numerous terrific memories over the years as a rival and organiser," said Sulayem. "Its success offers a powerful platform to introduce the Dubai International Baja right into a new era for motor sport in the UAE and the Middle East region."

Added Sulayem: "That we now have 3 world class occasions occurring in this region in quick sequence is a big increase for the sporting activity below as we will be the focus of attention for the cross nation rallying world. There are also big benefits for rivals via savings in the expense of participation and transport of automobiles, and the consolidated presence of leading suppliers, sponsors and media will certainly bring a brand-new level of direct exposure for each and every of the occasions, and for the UAE and Qatar as the venues."

Caption: The new Dubai International Baja will be the UAE's 2nd leading flight occasion worldwide of cross country rallying.