New partnership agreement boosts Dubai International Baja as top drivers, riders head for dramatic action in Al Qudra desert
Dubai Sports Channel has signed a partnership agreement with the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE to boost the return of World Cup cross country rallying to the emirate next month.
As a result of the deal, coverage of the Dubai International Baja powered by AW Rostamani and Nissan, launched last year, will reach a much wider national, regional and global TV audience.
Taking place from 8-10 March, the event 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.
The partnership agreement was signed today by Rashid Amiri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Channels Network at Dubai Media Incorporated, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and Emirates Motor Sport Federation, and FIA Vice President for sport, and was witnessed by Abdul Rahman Amin, Sports Channel Director, Dubai Media Incorporated.
“We take pride in the role we have played over the years in showcasing Dubai as a world-class venue for sport, and are very happy to be formally extending the long standing working relationship we have with the ATCUAE,” said Amiri.
“We recognise the importance of this new event which has been created by the national motor sport authority to preserve the future of rallying in the UAE, and look forward to showing our audiences the excitement of cross country baja rallying.
“The international reach of our live and recorded coverage of the 2018 Dubai International Baja will be maximised by our relationship with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).”
The EBU is the world’s leading alliance of public service media, with 73 broadcast members in 56 countries across Europe and beyond.
“We’re extremely grateful to Dubai Sports Channel for once again working closely with us to showcase the event, and Dubai as an international motor sport destination, to a huge audience at home and abroad,” said Sulayem.
“This an important part of the broad support and encouragement we receive from the Government of Dubai in our efforts to ensure a bright future for rallying.”
The Dubai International Baja will see a powerful assembly of top drivers and riders from the Middle East and overseas battling for honours across the spectacular Al Qudra desert terrain.
The event was launched by the ATCUAE last year as a natural replacement for the Dubai International Rally which ran for 37-years. The more desert-friendly and affordable baja format is open for buggies, bikes and quads, as well as cars.