Jordan Baja

The Jordan Baja is an international baja rally event held in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. The event had the status of a World Cup Baja round in 2021 for both FIA and FIM championships. Jordan Baja had 559 competitive kilometres in a total route of 859 km for 2021 with 15 motorcycles and five quads in fray in the near-by deserts of Wadi Rum.[1] Competitors from 15 nations took part in the fourth round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, Round 2 of the FIM Bajas World Cup and a National Baja was also held along with the two international-status events.[2]

History

The event was organised for the first time in 2018, becoming an official event of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas in 2019.[citation needed]

After its cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rally returned to the FIA calendar in 2021.[3] The 2023 race was cancelled shortly after the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war.[4]

Winners

Auto

Year Driver & Codriver Car Applicability
2018 Saudi Arabia Essa Al-Dossary
United Arab Emirates Ali Obaid
Nissan Navara National
2019 Poland Jacub Przygonski
Germany Timo Gottschalk
Mini All 4 Racing FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Saudi Arabia Yasir Seaidan
Russia Alexey Kuzmich
Mini John Cooper Works Rally FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas
2022 Saudi Arabia Saleh Al-Saif
Russia Egor Okhotnikov
BRP Can Am Maverick X3 XRS
2023 Cancelled due to Israel–Hamas war

Moto & Quad

Year Moto Quad
Rider Vehicle Rider Vehicle
2018 Jordan Ata Al-Hmoud Beta 390 N/A
2019 United Arab Emirates Mohammed Al Balooshi KTM 450 Rally N/A
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 United Arab Emirates Mohammed Al Balooshi Husqvarna FC450 Saudi Arabia Faisal Al-Suwayh Yamaha YZF450R
2022 United Arab Emirates Mohammed Al Balooshi KTM 450 Saudi Arabia Abdalmajeed Al-Khulaifi Yamaha Raptor
2023 Cancelled due to Israel–Hamas war

References

  1. ^ Bodapati, David (2021-03-18). "Jordan all set to host new round of FIM Baja World Cup". INDIA in F1. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  2. ^ Bodapati, David (2021-03-17). "Jordan Baja: FIA T4 category opens door for golden future". INDIA in F1. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  3. ^ "Jordan Baja set to return to world stage in March". THE JORDAN TIMES. 2021-01-29.
  4. ^ Nguyen, Justin (23 October 2023). "2023 Jordan Baja cancelled amidst Gaza war". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 5 October 2024.