Dania Akeel pleased to collect points for the World Cup despite mechanical setback 23.03.2023: Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel was holding third among the Baja World Cup T3 drivers at the Qatar International Baja before losing time with a rear-left wheel hub breakage on the final morning of the three-day second round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Count

Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel was holding third among the Baja World Cup T3 drivers at the Qatar International Baja before losing time with a rear-left wheel hub breakage on the final morning of the three-day second round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
 


Akeel joined forces again with the experienced French navigator Laurent Lichtleuchter to drive a South Racing-prepared Can-Am Maverick X3. She arrived at Lusail, north of Doha, in third place in the FIA T3 Championship standings.
 


She faced an impressive field of 17 T3 rivals, seven of whom were local drivers entered by the host Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). Ten of the T3 runners were registered for points in the FIA World Cup, with an additional eight setting their sights on the FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
 


The event ran to a traditional three-day format with a dusty and twisty 9.08km Prologue stage determining the starting order for two days of desert racing action through Qatar’s notoriously deceptive and demanding desert terrain.


Akeel began the event well, delivering a stunning fourth fastest time.



She dropped a few minutes on the next two stages and was classified fifth overall, and third among the World Cup Ranking.
 


The fourth and final stage offered 224.96km and ran over four timed parts of 33.73km, 28.51km, 43.23km and 113.20km split by non-competitive transfer zones. Unfortunately, the T3 rear-left hub failed in the stage and the crew dropped valuable time making emergency repairs, the delay pushing a disappointed Akeel down to ninth in the World Cup group rankings at the finish.
 


“This was my first time at Baja Qatar,” she said. “I knew before I arrived that the navigation was going to be a challenge and that it was fast and stony and that I should watch out for punctures. I had a different car for this race. It was a bit wider, more steady and more stable.



 “We were running so well and looked set for a great result. It’s very disappointing but that is motor sport. We can take great confidence from the fact we were on the pace with the leaders and the local drivers who know the desert well. I am looking forward to heading to Europe for the next Bajas World Cup event in Italy in July (6 – 9  July).
 


Dania has a multi-year title sponsorship partnership with ALJ Toyota and is receiving additional support from Tamer, Hertz, Toyota Motor Oil, BF Goodrich and Magrabi for her challenge for honours in 2023.
 





2023 Qatar International Baja – final FIA T3 standings:


1.    Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Oriol Vidal (ESP) MCE-5 T3M (T3)    5hr 30min 32.4sec
2.    Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Alexei Kuzmich (ARE) Can-Am Maverick X3    5hr 38min 05.3sec
3.    Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT)/François Cazalet (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3    5hr 42min 23.3sec+
4.    Otavio Sousa (BRA)/João Ferreira (PRT) Can-Am Maverick X3    5hr 59min 07.7sec
5.    Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3    5hr 59min 39.7sec
6.    Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Marc Serra (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 11min 45.9sec+
7.    Lionel Baud (FRA)/Lucie Baud (FRA) G Rally Team OT3    6hr 13min 12.5sec
8.    Mohammed Al-Meer (QAT)/Dmytro Tsyro (UKR) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 13min 46.0sec+
9.    Rashid Al-Mohannadi (QAT)/Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 16min 49.8sec+
10.    Kees Koolen (NLD)/Wouter Rosegaar (NLD) G Rally Team OT3    6hr 23min 56.9sec
11.    Mario Franco (PRT)/Rui Franco (PRT) Yamaha YXZ 1000 R    6hr 25min 58.3sec+
12.    Hector Diego Martinez (ESP)/Sergio Lafuente (URY) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 37min 25.8sec
13.    Hamed Al-Harbi (SAU)/Marcin Pasek (POL) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 55min 01.7sec+
14.    Nouef Hassan Al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Aisvydas Paliukenas (LTU) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 56min 12.2sec+
15.    Ahmed Al-Mohannadi (QAT)/Mubarak Al-Khelaifi (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3    6hr 57min 00.4sec+
16.    Dania Akeel (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3    7hr 56min 14.9sec
17.    Jean-Luc Ceccaldi (FRA)/Laurent Magat (FRA) PH-Sport Zephyr    10hr 03min 46.6sec
     Abdullah Al-Shegawi (SAU)/Waleed Al-Shegawi (SAU) Can-Am Maverick X3    RETIRED
+ registered for the FIA Middle East Cup


 
 


Simon Melluish - photos QMMF