Muscat [Oman], February 26: The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) is putting the finishing touches to the new Oman International Baja, which will run as an official FIA candidate event for inclusion in the 2027 FIA Middle East Baja Cup on March 26th-28th.
A regular organiser of world-class international drifting events and the famous Oman International Rally, the OAA aims to take advantage of some of the most spectacular off-road terrain in the Sultanate of Oman to prepare a challenging three-day route for its inaugural Baja. The event will also be open to motorcyclists and quads running in the FIM category.
The Baja will be based in the heart of Bidiyah among the Sharqiya dunes and surrounding sands with a 12.76km Oman Oil Prologue stage planned at Al Wasil from 13.10hrs onwards on Thursday, March 26th. Two desert stages of 240.90km and 168.45km will then take place on Friday, March 27th and Saturday, March 28th across the remote Bidiyah and Al Qabil regions.
Bidiyah is located in the eastern region of the country - around 233km from Muscat - and shares its northern border with the province of Al Qabil. The Eastern Sands of Oman are a vast array of red and brown dunes covering around 10,000 square kilometres. The renowned Sharqiya sands (formerly known as Wahaiba Sands) are a major attraction in the region and will play host to the inaugural Baja.
Neighbouring Al Qabil is a province in the governorate of Al Sharqiya North and is located in the northwest corner of the Sharqiya Sands desert. Wadis divide the Sharqiya Sands in the south from the foothills of the eastern Hajar mountains to the north.
The event is being held under the presidency of Brigadier Jamal Al Tai with vital support from vice-president Suleiman Al Rawahi, Anwar Al Zadjali, clerk of the course Khaled Zakaria, his deputy Sanad Al Rawahi and Nicolas Hindy.
Brigadier Jamal Al Tai said: "The Baja marks an exciting new chapter in the motorsport history of the Sultanate of Oman. The country has a proud legacy in stage rallying dating back to the late 1970s but this is the first official cross-country Baja to be hosted in the country.
"The choice of North Al Sharqiya, particularly the renowned desert landscapes of Bidiyah, provides the perfect setting for this historic debut. The towering dunes, the vast open desert and demanding terrain offer an ideal environment for Baja-style competition. The launch of the Baja reflects the country's ongoing commitment to expanding its motorsport portfolio and is a proud moment for Oman."
The Baja will be based out of the Jawharat Bidiyah Resort with the service park located at the nearby Bidiyah Green Homes Park. This will also host the ceremonial start, while the finish location will be based at the Bidiyah 4x4 Club.
The event will run in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Youth and the Al Sharqiya North Governorate with sponsorship from Shell Oman.
Administration and scrutineering checks will take place on Wednesday, March 25th at rally HQ and the service park. The pre-event press conference and ceremonial start have been scheduled for 17.30hrs and 18.00hrs, respectively, on Thursday, March 26th.
Registration for both the FIA and FIM sections is now available from the following link: OMAN INTERNATIONAL BAJA - Oman Automobile Association. The closing date for entries has been set for Tuesday, March 17th.
Source: Qatar Tribune
