Overall Standings Intensify Competition as Second Round of Baja Abu Dhabi Concludes

The second round of the third season of the Baja Abu Dhabi Challenge 2025–2026 concluded successfully, following strong participation from elite local and international competitors. The championship is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in cooperation with the Emirates Motorsports Organization, and continues to underline its growing stature on the global desert motorsports calendar.

Held in the Al Dhafra region of the Liwa Desert, the second round witnessed intense competition across all categories, as drivers navigated challenging sand dunes that tested speed, precision and endurance. The round played a decisive role in reshaping the overall standings after two races this season.

In the Auto category, British duo David Mabbs and co-driver David McBride maintained their dominance, retaining the overall lead in the T3 class after securing maximum points in both the first and second rounds. Their perfect score of 50 points places them firmly at the top of the standings.

Competition in the T4 class intensified, with close margins separating the leading crews. Canadian driver Bassam Karnibali and co-driver William Avinant lead with 40 points, followed closely by Emirati Atif Al Zarooni and co-driver Patrick McMorn, who sit second with 38 points, highlighting the strength of both regional and international participation.

In the SSV (Buggy) category, Russian driver Maxim Dikin claimed the overall lead after two rounds, ahead of fellow Russian Sergey Karyakin, while Lithuanian driver Emilija Gelazninkiene secured third place overall, confirming her strong presence among the sport’s professional elite.

The Quad category saw a fierce battle at the top of the standings, with Emiratis Abdulaziz Ahli and Mansoor Al Suwaidi sharing the overall lead after two rounds. Notable performances from Marwan Balhoush and Ali Al Mazrouei further reflected the rapid development of quad racing at the national level.

In the Motorcycle (Moto) category, South African Craig Coetzee leads the 450cc class overall after two rounds, ahead of Lithuanian Arūnas Gelazninkas and Britain’s John Kirk, in a tightly contested field featuring several prominent international riders. Strong performances were also recorded across the Veterans, Marathon and Adventure classes, alongside an impressive level of female participation, highlighted by a close battle for the lead between South Africans Hayley O’Connor and Sonja Schaffler.

The conclusion of the second round reaffirmed the strong competitive momentum of the Baja Abu Dhabi Challenge, as well as the championship’s success in attracting leading desert rally athletes, while showcasing the continued rise of Emirati competitors across multiple categories.

The championship will resume with the third round scheduled for 24 January 2026, with further details regarding the venue and programme to be announced in due course, amid growing anticipation as the battle for the overall standings intensifies heading into the decisive stages of the season.