After months of preparation, the final event in the international off-road rallying season is underway. Crews have completed the spectacular Qualifying Stage in the Hatta Suhaila Area and the Ceremonial Start at Dubai Festival Bay and are now focusing on the 359km of driving in Dubai’s daunting Al Qudra Desert that will make up Saturday’s Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 2 of the event.

Lucas Moraes took victory on the first stage in Hatta by the narrowest of margins over his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Seth Quintero. Just 0.2s separated the Brazilian and his Spanish codriver Armand Monelon from the US star Quintero and his German co-driver Dennis Zenz in their Toyota Hilux machines.

12-time event winner and reigning champion Nasser Al Attiyah got to within 1.4s of the leading pairing on his one-off outing with his team in his Taurus T3 Max while his team-mate Khalifa Al Attiyah was fourth, less than 10 seconds from the leading crew. Father/daughter combination Lionel and Lucie Baud were a fine fifth at the end of their first stage of rallying in Dubai with their Mini JCW Rally.

It was a tough start to the weekend for a couple of pre-event favourites Khalid Aljalfa and Eduard Pons who were 2m28s and 2m40s down after the stage after delays. However, they retain every chance of vying for honours in their battle for T3 class honours in the FIA World Cup Baja series. Poland’s Konrad Dabrowski took the early bragging rights among the two-wheel entry, the 23-year-old steering his Duust Rally Team KTM 450 to the fastest time in the 3.4km timed run at Hatta.

That was 25 seconds faster than Rafic Eid of Lebanon on his Gasgas and 28.2 seconds quicker than Pedro Bianchi Prata on his Honda CRF. Leading Quad rider on the Yamaha Raptors in the opening test was local man Abdulaziz Ahli, who had just under ten seconds in hand over Abdulaziz Al Atawi with the Saudi’s fellow countryman third Hani Al Noumesi third.

Following the stage in Hatta, the crews made their way back to the Service Park in Dubai Festival City for the tactically important Start Selection Ceremony. The competitors were then flagged away at Ceremonial Start in front of the fans in Dubai Festival City by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council in the company of His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, Omar Abdullah Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Al Futtaim Group and His Excellency Dr Amer Al Zarooni Chief Executive Officer of the Al Jalila Foundation.

The crews then turned their attention to the challenges of Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 2. In total there are 395km of timed ‘selective’ sections across the weekend and, with the untimed sections, the crews are facing a total of 867km of driving and riding until the champions of Dubai International Baja 2024 are crowned.

This year’s innovative use of the rugged landscape around Hatta means that gravel/dirt tracks make up 20% of the total route terrain on the selective sections. The rest is made up of open desert (35%) and 45% on the daunting dunes of Dubai which have made this rally so famous and popular with crews the world over.

Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 2 begins at 8 am (Saturday 30th November) with the first crews expected to complete the selective sections from 11.30 am onwards, after which the teams will return to the Service Park in Dubai Festival Mall where they will be on view to spectators throughout the day. Now in its eighth edition under the Baja format, the event draws top competitors from around the globe to tackle the challenging dunes of Dubai.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, the Baja is supported by Official Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota, Energy Partner ENOC, and the strategic collaboration of the Dubai Government and its entities, including the Dubai Police, RTA and Dubai Municipality.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Middle East’s largest theme park destination, recently celebrated the official inauguration of Real Madrid World, the world’s first-ever football theme park. This exciting six-hectare venue features over 40 original Real Madrid-themed rides and attractions, for families and amusement park enthusiasts.

Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations at Real Madrid C.F., and Roberto Carlos, club Ambassador and one of the greatest left-backs in football history, along with several distinguished VIPs, graced the occasion. Both left an indelible mark on the sport and played major roles in Real Madrid’s history.

Fernando Eiroa, CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment, said, “Real Madrid World is more than just a theme park—a football celebration. We’re pleased to have Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos alongside VIPs to see the club’s legacy and the global sport being celebrated in Dubai at Real Madrid World. This is an exciting addition to Dubai’s entertainment landscape with new experiences that are fully inclusive, educational, and fun for all.”

The day was a football lover’s dream. Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos thrilled fans by showcasing their legendary football skills, meeting guests, and exploring the park’s world-class rides and attractions. Guests had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these legends in action, hear them discuss the incredible attractions of the park, and even get personalized memorabilia at the store.

Furthermore, Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos played football with more than 100 children from the Real Madrid Foundation at the official regulation measurements field located in the park. The presence of these two Real Madrid legends at the ceremony added an extraordinary touch, as they have won multiple titles, broken records, and received numerous accolades throughout their illustrious careers.

Real Madrid World features over 40 exhilarating rides and attractions that let fans relive unforgettable moments. Visitors can also dive into the action with interactive games and activities at The Real Challenge or explore the Bernabéu Experience, featuring an impressive display of 15 European football cups and 11 European basketball cups. At Meet the Stars, life-sized figures of iconic Real Madrid players provide the perfect opportunity for fans to capture unforgettable selfies.

Guests can also look forward to live match viewings and special 20% Madridista discounts on tickets and food and beverages, making a day at Real Madrid World even more memorable. Additionally, the park will host an Inclusive Sports Day, specially organised for People of Determination (PoD), celebrating inclusivity and the joy of sports.

The roar of engines and thrill of high-speed action returned to Dubai Autodrome as DSBK Racing proudly launched the much-anticipated DSBK Middle East Championship 2024-2025 on October 26th. The championship opener treated racing fans and families alike to an unforgettable day of adrenaline-pumping action featuring elite riders from around the world. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre and Abdu Rozik, who made a special appearance, added even more excitement to an already electrifying atmosphere.

As the UAE’s premier superbike championship, DSBK Racing has firmly established itself as a leader in the region’s motorsports scene. Attendees experienced heart-stopping competition, family-friendly activities, and free entry and parking, creating an inclusive and dynamic environment for all.

Event Highlights

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Schedule: The day included intense warm-up and qualifying sessions, culminating in two thrilling 12-lap races at 12:00 PM and 2:50 PM.
3. Competitors: 20 racers representing a diverse mix of nationalities battled it out on the track.
4. Spectator Experience: In addition to the racing, attendees enjoyed live DJ performances, a dedicated children’s play zone, a variety of dining options from food trucks, a fan zone, and opportunities to meet racers and influencers.

2024-2025 Championship Calendar

Round 1: October 26, 2024 – National Circuit, Dubai Autodrome
Round 2: November 10, 2024 – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi (debut event)
Round 3: November 23, 2024 – National Circuit Dubai Autodrome
Round 4: February 2, 2025 – National Circuit, Dubai Autodrome
Round 5: April 5, 2025 – National Circuit, Dubai Autodrome
Round 6: April 19, 2025 – National Circuit, Dubai Autodrome

Founder of DSBK Racing and celebrated racer Nasir Syed & Co-Founder Abdul Samee, who has claimed many podium finishes, shared their vision for the championship: “The DSBK Middle East Championship is more than a race. It’s a platform for promoting responsible riding and advancing motorsport culture in the region. Our mission is to make DSBK Racing a fixture on the Middle East motorsports calendar.

DSBK Racing Academy, the UAE’s first-ever Superbike training academy aims to foster the next generation of racing talent by providing comprehensive training programs for aspiring riders. DSBK Racing is committed to building a passionate community of riders, families, and motorsport enthusiasts, offering more than just races but an experience filled with entertainment and education. Fans of motorsport and superbike racing can look forward to Round 2 on November 10, 2024, at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi.