Qatar's leading cross-country drivers and riders will be hoping to fend off strong international competition in this weekend's Qatar International Baja, a candidate event for inclusion in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, which takes place tomorrow and Saturday.
Meshal Al Emadi leads the local challenge in the competitive 450 motorcycle class with his Honda CRF 450X, and Adel Hussein Abdullah and Nasser Hassan Al Rabaan have entered a pair of KTM quads in the event organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF).
Abdullah finished third overall in the Quad category at the last Qatar Baja in 2005 on a Yamaha Raptor.
"I started a training programme last year with a view to doing the Dakar Rally and I have been keeping in good physical condition since then," said Abdullah.
Jamal Fakhroo also represents Qatar and is seeded at 23 with co-driver Kamal Khoder in a Land Rover.
Officials at the QMMF have left nothing to chance, as Qatar bids to return to the FIA Cross-Country calendar in 2012.
"We have taken extra measures on safety issues this time," said Elie Semaan, the clerk of the course. "FIA regulations state that you should have an ambulance or an FIV [first intervention vehicle] up to every 80km on the route.
"We will use nine ambulances and 10 FIVs on the route, and one at the Sealine centre and helicopter support. That equates to having one safety vehicle, equipped with paramedics, fire extinguishers and cutting equipment, every 25-30km."
Administration checks and scrutineering will be finalised at the headquarters of the QMMF in Doha today.
The ceremonial start will take place at the Sealine Resort from 12.50pm tomorrow.
