DUBAI — Overdrive Racing’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi won both desert stages and cruised to a comfortable victory in the Dubai International Baja, round two of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.

Partnered by Ulsterman Michael Orr — his long-term co-driver in traditional special stage rallies — the Saudi Arabian driver monopolized the event to seal a winning margin of 33min 49sec over Abu Dhabi Racing’s runner-up Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi. Fellow Saudi Yasir Seaidan rounded off the podium places, albeit 37min 54sec behind Al-Rajhi.

Al-Rajhi’s Toyota Hilux won the challenging opening stage through the UAE’s Al Qudra desert by 20min 35sec and the second timed test by 12min 14sec to seal a first victory at the event that replaced the Dubai International Rally in 2016.

“This was the first time I do this race here. A new experience. We had a good feeling about the dunes. Our goal, like a lot of people, was to win. We did well on the opening stage. Michael did a good job. It’s good to have him back. We had a minor issue at about 30km and later a puncture on the first stage,” said a delighted Al-Rajhi.

Al-Rajhi stormed to the fastest time in the opening selective section of 192.23 kilometers that carved a sandy trail through the Al-Qudra desert and a time of 2hr 40min 57sec enabled the Saudi to beat Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi by 20min 35sec.

When his rival incurred a one-minute time penalty and slipped to third place at the night halt, Al-Rajhi’s overall advantage rose to 21min 31sec over second-placed Yasir Seaidan.

The second selective also ran over a challenging route through the local desert for 194.75km. Al-Rajhi only had to conserve his position over the second day without taking any risks and he reached the stage finish in a time of 2hr 41min 16sec to seal a first ever win at the Dubai International Baja. It also set him up nicely for an assault at this year’s FIA World. — SG