Media Information
Dubai International Baja
13 March 2017
2017 Dubai International Baja – MINI celebrates third place result.
- MINI secures podium finish at Dubai International Baja.
- Mohamed Abu Issa and Xavier Panseri crew MINI ALL4 Racing to third.
Munich. MINI crew Mohamed Abu Issa (QAT) and co-driver Xavier
Panseri (FR) completed the
2017 Dubai International Baja
in third place after a spectacular two-day race event in hot
desert conditions. The
Dubai International Baja is the
longest-running motorsport event in the UAE and the
competition was equally as hot. Despite this, Abu Issa and Xavier
kept their cool to record top five finishes (2 x third, 1 x fourth)
in the three Special Stages of 347.9 km total distance.
The 2017 The Dubai International Baja is only the second race Mohamed
Abu Issa and the experienced Xavier Panseri has joined forces in a
MINI ALL4 Racing. With this weekend’s third place achievement coming
on the back of a sensational 10th place at the 2017 Dakar
Rally, it is obviously a partnership to watch.
Speaking after the final Special Stage and before climbing the
celebration stage to the podium, Abu Issa said: “The Baja was mainly
sand dunes and very good experience for someone not used to dunes… it
is also hard to go fast – you have to be focused. I’m improving, of
course, and this the first time I have been on the podium in a rally
car. I’m extremely happy.”
Xavier Panseri was also clearly delighted with the crew’s third
place. “The rally was nice and we finished third. It was a very good
result for Mohamed. From my side the navigation was ok – it is quite
easy here because all the way points are visible. We’ve done a good
job. For our first desert race it was good.”
Vladimir Valisyev and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, MINI ALL4 Racing
#304, didn’t make the start of the 2017 Dubai International Baja due
to personal reasons.
The next round (R3) of the 2017 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup
also takes place in UAE and is the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, 1-7 April.