World class rally-raid action returns this weekend with the 38th edition of the Baja España Aragón.
Expect extreme heat to bake a combination of clay, dusty and rocky tracks as Dakar Rally winners and novices test themselves in Teruel.
In the car race the man to beat will once again be Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT). The Qatari won the last running of the Baja España Aragón and now returns with co-driver Mathieu Baumel (FRA) and their Toyota Hilux to defend the title. Since their triumph in Spain last year, the pair have picked up yet another Dakar Rally victory!
“Our car has been really strong throughout 2022 so we’ll be aiming for the top step of the podium again this year.” – Nasser Al-Attiyah
There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the T3 category at the upcoming Baja España Aragón as this accessible form of rally-raid racing continues to gain popularity. Leading the charge in her native Spain will be Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP), racing the OT3 that she brought to victory in the 2021 FIA World Cup for the Cross-Country Rallies.
Gutiérrez will be racing for the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team with co-driver Pablo Moreno (ESP).
“Since I started competing I have a very special affection for this race because it has seen me grow as a person and as a driver.” – Cristina Gutiérrez
Also behind the wheel of an OT3 will be Guillaume De Mevius (BEL) as he looks to keep the accelerator down on his off-road education. De Mevius will be alongside highly-rated co-driver François Cazalet (FRA).
“It is always good to know that we are going to compete in rally-raid again because it is a way to keep us active after such a long break.” – Guillaume De Mevius
Looking to get ahead of De Mevius in the T3 standings will be a familiar face to anybody who follows off-road racing from a Spanish perspective. Dani Sordo (ESP) will take the controls of a Can-Am Maverick and along with co-driver Candido Carrera (ESP) he can expect plenty of support from the home crowd.
Sordo races this event as part of Al-Attiyah’s Nasser Racing Team. The Spaniard has been racing the World Rally Championship for the past two decades, but is the Dakar Rally his next destination?
“Let’s have fun but try to do our best as always! Thank you @nasser_dakar for this opportunity.” – Dani Sordo
Also adding plenty of interest to the T3 contest at the Baja España Aragón is Catie Munnings (GBR). Like Al-Attiyah, Munnings is making time to race both rally-raids and Extreme E in 2022. Munnings will be joined by co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) in a Can-Am in Spain.
“So excited to be back driving in one of my favourite events last year Baja Aragón, a long tough rally in the Spanish desert.” – Catie Munnings
The racing starts on Friday, July 22 with a timed special stage for the motorbike category only. Then the cars, trucks and quads join in the fun on Saturday with over 400 kilometres against the clock. The 38th Baja España Aragón concludes on Sunday, July 24 with a final 159 kilometres against the clock.
