DUBAI // Mohammed ben Sulayem, the chief of motorsports in the UAE, believes the baja format is the future of rallying in the region and the numbers for the inaugural Dubai International Baja prove his point.
Joining the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies calendar, the Dubai International Baja has attracted an impressive line-up of 69 drivers and riders from across the Middle East and overseas, who will battle for the honours today and tomorrow in Al Qudra.
“We’re very pleased with the size and quality of the entry in the first year, and we look forward to some classic cross country rallying in the Al Qudra desert,” Ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ACTUAE), the rally organisers, said at yesterday’s news conference.
“This event and the baja format shows the way ahead for rallying in the UAE and the Middle East as a whole, and we’re confident it will go from strength to strength.
“The baja format is more desert-friendly and affordable compared with traditional rallying, and by being open to buggies, bikes and quads as well as cars, appeals to a much wider range of competitors.”
The Dubai International Baja is the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and buggies, and the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads.
Competing this weekend are the likes of Sam Sunderland, the Dubai-based 2017 Dakar Rally bikes champion, and the reigning FIA World Cup champion Nasser Al Attiyah, who is a two-time Dakar winner as well.
Qatari Al Attiyah, partnered by Mathieu Baumel in a Toyota Hilux, will be up against familiar rival Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi of the UAE, who will be driving an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 2008 DKR alongside Emirati co-driver Khalid Al Kendi in the auto category, where 31 crews representing 15 nations will be battling for the top honours.
The Polish duo of Aron Domzala and co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk, who won the opening round of the World Cup last week in the frozen northern forests of Russia in an Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux, will be keen to maintain their lead at the top of the standings, while Russian Vladimir Vasilyev, the 2015 World Cup champion, will be hoping to shift gears in his Mini All4 Racing after finishing fifth on home turf.
“The contrast between two World Cup rounds could not be any greater, but that’s the challenge of cross country rallying at the top level and we’re looking forward to a classic desert event,” Ben Sulayem said.
There will be a number of Emiratis in action over the weekend, including Mohammed Al Balooshi, who could be one of the top challengers to Sunderland in the moto category, which has attracted 38 riders from 12 countries.
Dave McBride, the UAE-based Briton, will also be fancying his chances as the returns to the scene of his triumph at the World Cup candidate event in December.
Ahmed Al Maqoodi, who was the winner of the auto division in the candidate event, will also be looking to impress as he returns to the deserts of Al Qudra in a T3 Polaris buggy, with Obaid Al Kitbi, the 2012 Desert Challenge quads champion, his co-driver.
Schedule
• Friday: 9.15am Special Stage 1 (91.66km), 1.35m SS2 (82.24)
• Saturday: 9.40am SS3 (174.20km), 5pm Ceremonial Finish
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'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
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