The sixth edition of the Jordan Baja started on Thursday with a short but challenging prologue of 5.15 kilometers on South Beach near Aqaba. The fastest times were recorded by Yazeed Al-Rajhi (cars), Rafic Eid (bike) and Hani Al-Noumesi (quads).
Al-Rajhi, together with navigator Timo Gottschalk in a Toyota Hilux, clearly won. With that, the duo secured a favorable starting position for the first real stage on Friday through the impressive desert of Wadi Rum.
“This rally always feels special to me. We are well prepared, the set-up is sharp and the strategy is ready. The goal is clear: to win and further extend the lead in the championship,” said Al-Rajhi.
Miroslav Zapletal came second in his Ford, 21.5 seconds behind the lead. Al-Rajhi’s teammates – Kaczmarski, Akeel and Yacopini – finished in the top five. In the Challenger class, Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari was fastest, with teammates Ahmed Al-Kuwari and Mohammed Al-Harqan in second and third place.
In the SSV’s, Italian Amerigo Ventura (Yamaha) was fastest, ahead of Hamza Bakhashab and Paul Severn.
In the bike category, Rafic Eid was fastest on his GasGas, ahead of Thomas Childs (KTM) and Thomas Cross (Kove), among others. Local riders Abu Aisheh and Al-Bataynah followed close behind. Reigning champion Mohammed Al-Balooshi was seventh, but remains positive: “I’m here for the fifth time and it’s still one of my favourite rallies. I like the terrain, the organisation is strong and the goal is to defend my title and keep the lead.”
In the quads, Hani Al-Noumesi was the only participant, but he showed himself: his time of 5:28 was even faster than that of all the bikes.
Friday: desert stage through Wadi Rum
On Friday, the participants will have a tough ride through Wadi Rum: cars will be given two sections of 215 km and 78 km, bikes and quads will ride one long stage of 294 km. The first bike will leave at 06:55.
