AMMAN (JORDAN): Jordan Motorsport has released a record-breaking entry list (subject to FIA approval) for next weekend’s Jordan Baja, the second rounds of the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups and the FIM Bajas World Cup and FIM Asia Bajas Cup.
Thirty-five cars have been entered in the FIA category, in addition to 25 riders competing in the FIM section, 13 teams taking part in a Jordan National Baja and a number of amateur crews running in the third Wadi Al-Qamar Navigational Rally.
Fourteen of the FIA entrants will be chasing FIA World Baja Cup points with 16 of the remaining 21 registered for the four-round FIA Middle East Baja Cup. The number is further broken down into six crews in the Ultimate category, seven in Challenger, 15 in SSV and seven in the Stock group.
The FIM category features 21 motorcycle riders and four quad entrants with seven of the bikers competing for points in the Veterans’ section, two entered in the Junior class and one in the Women’s category.
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah won the opening round of the FIA season in Saudi Arabia last weekend and tops the car entry in a two-wheel drive MD Sport Optimus Evo 5 Buggy with his Dakar-winning navigator Fabian Lurquin. The Qatari is the current leader of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup.
Competition in the Ultimate category comes from the Toyotas of defending regional champion Dania Akeel and South Africa’s Saood Variawa. Czech veteran Miroslav Zapletal, Frenchman Lionel Baud and Saudi driver Ahmed Al-Shamy will also be in the hunt.
Yasir Seaidan followed up second place in the Challenger group at the Dakar Rally with victory in Saudi Arabia last weekend and the Taurus Evo Max driver heads six Challenger rivals. He is also second in the overall regional Drivers’ Championship standings behind Al-Attiyah.
Hamed Al-Wahaibi and Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari will be chasing FIA World Baja Cup points, while David Mabbs, Nouef Al-Sowaidi and Abdullah Al-Fahad concentrate on the regional Baja Cup. Entrant Andrey Novikov is not registered for either series.
