Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The second season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge 2024–2025 has concluded after four competitive stages. The event was organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in collaboration with the Emirates Motorsports Organization, as part of their joint efforts to support and develop motorsports while empowering young talents to hone their skills through direct competition with top professional drivers from around the world.
The fourth and final round, held in the Nahel Desert area in Al Ain, featured a turnout of 92 competitors from 30 different nationalities, including 24 Emirati drivers.
The race took place over a sandy course exceeding 100km in length, with participants taking part in four laps across several categories. The lineup included 50 motorcycles, seven quad bikes, seven cars, and 28 SxS (Side-by-Side) vehicles.
The winners of the final round and the overall season champions were honoured in a closing ceremony attended by Adel Saeed Al Yaqoubi, Director of International Events at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Hamed Al Mazrouei, representative of the Emirates Motorsports Organization; as well as Saqr Al Hosani and Mohammed Al Darei, representatives of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Top-performing competitors in all categories were celebrated for their achievements.
Winners of the Cars category were British driver Jonathan Hart, who was crowned season champion after a consistently strong performance throughout the championship rounds. Rashid Al Ketbi of the UAE secured second place, followed by Vadym Prytuliak from Ukraine in third.
Winners of the Motorcycles category saw the title going to British rider Alex McInnes, who outpaced Scottish rider John Kirk, finishing second. Brandon Grimsted of South Africa claimed third place.
In the Quads category, Emirati rider Abdulaziz Ahli claimed first place. Ahli was followed by Fehade Katrou of France in second, and Nasser Abdullah from Qatar in third.
In the SxS (Buggies) category, Russian driver Sergei Karyakin secured the top spot, outperforming fellow Russian Maksim Deikin, who came in second. Andreas Borgmann from Denmark completed the podium in third place.
Adel Saeed Al Yaqoubi expressed pride in the successful conclusion of both the final round and the overall season, praising the high international turnout and the elevated levels of competition. Al Yaqoubi said: “Once again, the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge affirms its status as a premier sporting platform that attracts both professionals and amateurs in a safe, professional environment that adheres to the highest global standards in motorsport organisation.”
The Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge aligns with the strategic vision of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, aimed at establishing the emirate as a global sports hub. The event also contributes to nurturing a new generation of motorsport champions by providing a real-world competitive environment for gaining experience and engaging with elite drivers from various continents, raising the level of challenge and refining local talent.
