Doha, October 31 (QNA) - Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah highlighted the importance of his victory at the Qatar International Baja, the penultimate round of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, saying the result secured his first regional championship title with one round remaining.
In an exclusive interview with the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Attiyah said winning the Middle East Baja Cup was particularly significant, as it marked his first appearance in the regional competition. In previous years, he had focused on the FIA World Baja Cup. The achievement, he added, further strengthened Qatar's record in motorsports at the regional level.
He said the title was his second regional championship triumph within a week. On Sunday, he secured his 21st Middle East Rally Championship title, extending his record, after winning the Cyprus Rally, the fifth and final round of the regional series.
Al Attiyah also expressed his satisfaction at claiming his 13th Qatar International Baja title, saying the achievement came after an exceptionally demanding competition featuring longer stages, challenging terrain and a strong field of leading international drivers.
He described this year's edition as markedly different from previous events, with some of its longest and most difficult stages. The opening stage, he said, resembled sections of the Dakar Rally because of its length and harsh terrain, requiring considerable physical effort and mental concentration. The final day's stage covered 200 kilometers across different terrain.
Al Attiyah said he had adopted a cautious approach throughout the final stage, which enabled him to finish at the front and secure the title.
He also revealed that his Nasser Racing team competed in the Qatar International Baja with 10 cars, with support from the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation. He praised the performance of promising young driver Ghanim Al Attiyah, who finished second in the T4 category on his debut, describing the result as a positive achievement and a source of pride for the team.
Al Attiyah praised the high organizational standards of this year's event and the strong international participation, saying both reflected Qatar's standing on the global motorsports stage. He also thanked the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation for its continued and comprehensive support of Qatari drivers.
Looking ahead, Al Attiyah outlined a busy schedule, beginning with next week's Dubai International Baja, followed by the Jeddah Baja the week after, where he aims to strengthen his lead in the Saudi championship. He will then compete in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge at the end of the month.
He described the Abu Dhabi rally as his final event with the Dacia team, adding that he was currently considering several options before deciding on his next destination and team.
Al Attiyah concluded by expressing pride in his record 13th victory at the Qatar International Baja, saying his continued success provided strong motivation to pursue further achievements and represent Qatar at international competitions. (QNA)