The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation has published Rally Guide 1 and released initial details of the Qatar International Baja 2026, which will take place from October 28 to 31.
The Lusail-based event will serve as the penultimate round of both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, as well as round six of the FIM Bajas World Cup.
This year’s edition will feature several changes from the previous event, including an extended route and an 18.4% increase in competitive kilometres.
Competitors will tackle 538.44km against the clock across a total route of 940.28km.
For the first time, a private test will be held on Wednesday, October 28, allowing competitors to make final set-up adjustments while helping prevent the indiscriminate use of other desert tracks.
A 9.51km Prologue will follow on Thursday, October 29, determining the starting order for the first competitive section the following morning.
Friday, October 30, will feature a demanding 336.34km selective section through the deserts of northern and central Qatar.
According to QMMF, it will be the longest selective section on the FIA World Baja Cup calendar and comparable with stages of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship in terms of difficulty and variety.
The second selective section on Saturday, October 31, has been shortened by 13.7% to 202.10km, allowing the event to conclude earlier.
That route will pass through the landscapes of southern Qatar and include the demanding dunes of the Sealine area in the southeast of the country.
Administrative checks, scrutineering, the ceremonial start and finish, and all servicing will take place at Lusail International Circuit, with the arrangement intended to improve convenience and reduce the event’s environmental impact.
The event is being held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, alongside QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and General Secretary Abdulrazaq Al Kuwari, while Pedro Almeida serves as Clerk of the Course.
Entries will open and the Supplementary Regulations will be published on September 2. The first entry deadline is September 30, with the final cut-off set for October 14.
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