Al Qassimi, Al Balooshi Head World Cup seedings in Dubai International Baja
The UAE's Khalid Al Qassimi and Mohammed Al Balooshi top the driver and rider seedings for following weekend break's Dubai International Baja powered by Nissan and AW Rostamani, when both aim to tip up to claim victory in the double World Cup event.
Partnered by French co-driver Xavier Panseri in his Peugeot Abu Dhabi Competing Group 3008 DKR, Al Qassimi begins as favourite to win the 2nd round of this year's FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for vehicles and buggies after completing runner-up in 2015.
Top Emirati rider Al Balooshi, meanwhile, will be looking for a flying start in an event which likewise creates the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads after ending up third on his KTM in 2014.
Al Qassimi and Al Balooshi head an effective line-up of 88 rivals from 19 nations in the main seedings lists revealed today by the Auto and Touring Club for the UAE (ATCUAE), the nationwide automobile racing authority and rally organisers.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the rally is supported by the Government of Dubai, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality and the General Authority of Sports.
The second edition of the Dubai International Baja powered by Nisan and AW Rostamani will certainly be based at Dubai Autodrome, with the opening event occurring at the new Rally HQ following Thursday ( 8th March) at 5pm.
" We have a top-class entrance and look forward to two days of timeless cross nation rallying over a stunning course throughout the dunes and plains of the Al Qudra desert," stated Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and Emirates Automobile Racing Federation, and FIA Vice President for sport.
Following Al Qassimi right into activity in the Al Qudra desert will be Czech Martin Prokop and co-driver Jan Tomanek in the Ford F150 Evo which took them to second place in the first round of this year's FIA World Cup series in Russia's northern forest.
Russians Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov, back-to-back victors of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in 2014-15, are seeded third in a Mini One in a line-up of 32 cars and buggies.
They will certainly be followed away by last year's FIA World Cup runner-up, Poland's Jakub Przygonski, accompanied by Belgian co-driver Tom Colsoul in another Mini.
Seeded 5th in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive is Saudi Arabia's Yaser Seaidan, 5th overall in 2014's FIA World Cup standings and fifth in Russia recently, partnered by Russian co-driver Aleksei Kuzmich.
Partnered by Omani co-driver Abdul Haleem, Emirati Abdulla Al Heraiz is among 5 chauffeurs entering into action in a Nissan Patrol, the main car for the rally.
Mansour Al Helei, gone along with by fellow Emirati Khalid Al Kendi and one of ten UAE drivers entered, is seeded 9th in a T1 model Nissan Pick-up as he wants to build on his T2 production class triumph in last year's inaugural event.
Driving solo in a Polaris RZR, Ukrainian Vadym Prytuliak goes back to activity in Dubai seeking his second successive buggies title.
With Balooshi spearheading hopes of a bikes victory on home region for the host nation, UAE-based Shannon O'Connor, Abdulla Bin Dakhan, Mohamed Anis and in 2015's runner-up Frenchman Benjamin Melot, total the top 5 seeded drivers.
Also aiming for a successful title support in Dubai is Kuwait's Fahad Al Musallam who won the quads classification in 2014 and is back with his Yahamah 700 Raptor.
The international assembly of cars, buggies, bikes and quads tackle a requiring 174 kilometres unique stage going through the significant Al Qudra desert terrain on Friday (March 9) and once more the adhering to day, with the event ending up at Dubai Autodrome on Saturday (March 10).
Captions:
1. Mohammed Ben Sulayem: looking forward to a classic World Cup cross country rally
2. The UAEs Khalid Al Qassimi French co-driver Xavier Panseri in a Peugeot Abu Dhabi Racing Team 3008 DKR top the driver seedings.
3. Emirati Mohammed Al Balooshi is the No.1 seeded rider for the Dubai International Baja powered by Nissan and AW Rostamani,
