Home » Victory for Al-Rajhi and Van Loon Leads FIA World Cup After Saudi Baja

Victory for Al-Rajhi and Van Loon Leads FIA World Cup After Saudi Baja

The Saudi Baja Hail, one of the most challenging and prestigious desert rallies in the world, recently took place in the rugged terrain of Saudi Arabia. This FIA-certified event attracts some of the best rally drivers and teams from around the globe each year. This year’s competition was dominated by Overdrive Racing, with an impressive performance by Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi and his German navigator Timo Gottschalk.

Victory for Overdrive Racing

With a total time of 4 hours, 28 minutes, and 15 seconds, Yazeed Al-Rajhi secured victory in his Toyota Hilux Overdrive Ultimate. His experience and speed made the difference, allowing him to beat his closest competitor, Juan Cruz Yacopini from Argentina, by 5 minutes and 49 seconds. Yacopini, also driving for Overdrive Racing, was assisted by his Spanish navigator Daniel Oliveras and delivered an excellent performance in the same vehicle type.

The third-place finisher was Dania Akeel, a prominent Saudi female driver, who, alongside her French navigator Stéphane Duple, completed the race in 4 hours, 38 minutes, and 26 seconds. This marked an impressive achievement for her team and a strong representation of women in rally racing.

Al-Attiya Wins in the T3 Class

Beyond the top contenders in the T1+ category, there were also impressive performances in other classes. In the T3 class, Khalifa S. Al-Attiya from Qatar, driving for the QMMF Team, claimed victory in his Taurus T3 Max CHG with a time of 4 hours, 39 minutes, and 51 seconds. His teammate Ahmed F. Al-Kuwari finished second in this class with a time of 4 hours, 46 minutes, and 17 seconds.

In the SSV class, Saudi driver Hamza A. Bakhashab took the win in his BRP Can-Am Maverick R SSV, recording a time of 4 hours, 54 minutes, and 21 seconds. This was just enough to edge out Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal, who competed in a Ford F150 Evo.

Van Loon second but World Cup Leader

Dutch competitors also made their mark in the Saudi Baja. Erik van Loon and Wouter Rosegaar competed in the SSV class, finishing in 5 hours and 9 seconds, securing a respectable second place in their category. This result put Van Loon in the lead of the FIA World Cup. The Dutch duo Gerben Heisterkamp and Wesley Aaldering completed the rally in 6 hours and 16 seconds, finishing in the midfield.

FIA World Baja Cup standings

After the Saudi Baja Hail, Yazeed Al-Rajhi from Saudi Arabia remains at the top of the FIA World Baja Cup standings with an impressive 86 points, having won all stages and solidifying his dominance in the competition. Juan Cruz Yacopini from Argentina follows in second place with 70 points, maintaining a consistent record of second-place finishes. Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal climbed to third place with 51 points, thanks to a strong finish. Dutch driver Erik van Loon stands just outside the podium with 58 points, keeping himself in the title race with a solid performance. With several races left, the championship battle remains intense, particularly for the podium spots.

British Victory on two wheels

British rider Alex McInnes secured victory on a Husqvarna FE 450, completing the rally in 5 hours, 36 minutes, and 35 seconds. He was followed by Emirati rider Mohammed A. Albalooshi, who finished second on his Husqvarna Rally, 16 minutes and 12 seconds behind. The third-place finisher was Abdulla N. Lanjawi from the UAE, who rode a Kove 450 Rally and completed the race in 6 hours, 4 minutes, and 9 seconds. The rally consisted of tough stages with numerous technical challenges, pushing participants’ riding skills and endurance to the limit.

Beyond the top contenders, there were also notable performances from other riders. Lebanese rider Rafic Eid finished fifth, while South African Hanno Geyser and German Philip Horlemann made it into the top ten. A standout moment was the participation of female Kuwaiti rider Sarah Ali Khuraibet, who finished 20th on her Husqvarna FE 450. Several Saudi riders also participated on quads, including Haitham S. Altuwayjiri, who was the fastest quad rider to complete the rally. The event featured heavy time penalties, with some competitors accumulating more than 40 hours in penalties, demonstrating the brutal and unpredictable nature of the Saudi Baja Hail, where extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain push even the most experienced riders to their limits.

Saudi Baja Hail Summary

The Saudi Baja Hail once again delivered an intense battle in the Saudi Arabian desert, with Yazeed Al-Rajhi as the dominant winner in the T1+ class. Alongside his navigator Timo Gottschalk, he put in a commanding performance in his Toyota Hilux Overdrive Ultimate, further extending his lead in the FIA World Baja Cup. Juan Cruz Yacopini secured second place, followed by Saudi driver Dania Akeel, who put on an impressive display in a male-dominated sport. In other categories, Khalifa S. Al-Attiya claimed victory in the T3 class, while Hamza A. Bakhashab emerged as the strongest in the SSV category. In the motorcycle division, British rider Alex McInnes won on his Husqvarna FE 450.

The rally was not only a battle for the stage wins but also a crucial round in the FIA World Cup. Erik van Loon finished second in the SSV class, securing the overall lead in the World Cup standings. Despite a strong performance, the fight for the top positions remains fierce, with several races left in the season. Additionally, the event was marked by extreme conditions, with challenging terrain and scorching heat, leading to high time penalties for some participants. The Saudi Baja Hail remains one of the world’s most demanding rally events, where only the most skilled and well-prepared competitors stand a chance at victory.