91 Competitors from 24 Countries to Participate in Round Two of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge in Liwa

The second round of the third season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge is set to kick off on Saturday, 13 December, in Liwa, Al Dhafra region. The event is organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with the Emirates Motorsports Organization.
The organizing committee confirmed that the round will feature 91 competitors from 24 countries, including 22 Emirati drivers, bringing together a mix of professional and amateur participants in Liwa, one of the UAE’s premier desert destinations for dune driving enthusiasts. The region’s varied sand dunes provide an ideal environment for short desert racing competitions.
The round will include 58 motorcycles, 8 quads, 8 cars, and 17 buggies, competing over a 100-kilometer desert track spanning four laps through the soft sand dunes of Al Dhafra, offering a unique challenge that combines skill, speed, and endurance.
Competitors hail from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the UK, Germany, France, South Africa, the USA, India, Russia, Lebanon, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland, Uzbekistan, China, Lithuania, Italy, Pakistan, Romania, Ukraine, Denmark, and Spain.
The challenge will also feature a strong female presence, with riders adding a competitive edge across various categories, including:
Healy Honour (South Africa – Motorcycles)
Sone Schaffler (South Africa – Motorcycles)
Tracy Pia Zgheib (Lebanon – Motorcycles)
Emilija Gilaznienkė (Lithuania – Buggy)
Noura Al Jasasi (UAE – Cars)
Their participation reflects the championship’s commitment to promoting women in motorsports and enhancing their presence in international competitions.
HE. Talal Mustafa Al Hashimi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: "Round two of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge represents an important stage in the third season, bringing together professional and amateur drivers in a competitive and thrilling atmosphere. At the council, we ensure the highest safety standards at every stage of the event to enhance participants’ experience and provide an ideal environment for performance."
He added: "We look forward to a fierce competition for the season titles, which will be decided based on cumulative points across the four rounds. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council remains committed to developing the skills of local drivers and encouraging their participation in major championships, both nationally and internationally. We are proud of our strategic partnership with the Emirates Motorsports Organization, which has been instrumental in the event’s ongoing success and growth each year."
The organizing committee announced that technical inspection and administrative checks will take place on Friday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with race-day registration from 6:00 to 7:30 AM, followed by a drivers’ briefing. The official start for the first batch is scheduled at 8:30 AM, with the award ceremony to take place at 11:00 AM at the finish line podium.