Doha loves speed, and it doesn’t get any faster than the 2011 Qatar International Baja on November 24-26. Put on by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), the two day event is open to cars in the T1, T2, T3 and Category 2WD categories as well as 450cc, quad, women drivers and open bikes in a candidate event for the exciting FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies.

This is the third season to come to town since the Asian Games in 2006, and this year sees a special Qatar National Baja running behind the main international event and a special class for diesel vehicles. It also sees UAE driver Mark Powell arrving with two Predator X-18s. A veteran of numerous UAE Desert Challenges and Ha’il Saudi Baja events, this is his second time in Qatar, after entering the first Qatar Baja in 2004. He will bring a custom fitted car just for the race.

‘We have decided to enter the two Predators,’ said Powell. He’ll be joined by Wales-based navigator Quin Evans, who’s competed in numerous off-road events around the globe and is a top-10 finisher in the daunting Dakar Rally.

One vehicle will be a customer car fitted with the original CVT transmission and powered by a 2.2-litre GM Ecotec engine delivering in the region of 170bhp. The other, driven by Powell, is being developed by Saluki Motorsports in Dubai and features a 2.5-litre, normally-aspirated Subaru engine, which will power the 1,100kg, two-wheel drive Buggy entered in the T1.3 class.

‘The overall performance of the new car is expected to far exceed that of the original set-up and we are looking forward to putting this new version through its paces in the Qatar race,’ says Powell.

The whole event is just one more feather in Qatar’s sporting cap, coming on the heels of the Aspire4Sport event and topping off a busy sports month in the lead up to the Pan Arab Games in December.

‘We ran a successful Baja for two seasons before the Asian Games in Doha in 2006 and had to withdraw from the series in 2006 to accommodate the Games,’ says Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah, president of the QMMF. ‘Now we feel is the time to return to top flight cross-country rallying and we are looking forward to hosting an exciting Baja for cars and motorcycles again in Qatar in November.’

Entries for the Qatar International Baja close on November 10 for teams and for co-drivers in the car category on November 22. Motorcycle entries must be received by November 10. Administration checks and scrutineering will take place at the QMMF in Doha on November 23 and 24, while the ceremonial start and opening super special stage starts at 8am on November 25 at Sealine Resort, and is open to the public free of charge. Results are posted at 7.30pm at the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation. Leg two takes place across the Qatar desert on Nov 26 and the ceremonial finish will draw a close on proceedings at the Sealine Resort from 6pm. For more information contact the Qatar Motor and Motor Cycle Federation at 437 9884/9885 or www.qmmf.com.