Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel clinched the FIA Middle East Baja Cup title earlier this week following her victory in the Dubai International Baja, the final event of the series, reports the Middle East Monitor.
Akeel, 36, overcame four challenging rounds across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Dubai with two co-drivers and three car preparation teams to secure both the overall title and the flagship Ultimate category win. She made history as the first female Saudi driver to win the prestigious Baja Cup.
Akeel delivered consistent podium finishes throughout the season, racing with an Overdrive Toyota Hilux for the opening two rounds and a Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo RR in the final two. Her victory in Dubai also marked the first time a female driver has achieved such success in the history of Middle East motorsport.
“With this result we have won the Middle East Baja Championship,” Akeel said adding that “The event was challenging with nice dunes and plateaux where he [South Racing] had to change the cap quite a lot. It was a good navigation exercise. The Middle East Cup was very competitive and very interesting.”
Akeel credited her co-drivers, Stephane Duple and Sebastien Delaunay, and her teams for their support. She now turns her focus to the Jeddah Rally Toyota later this month, aiming to cap off an already historic year.
According to Al-Monitor, Akeel began her motorsport career in motorcycle racing back in 2019, becoming the first woman in Saudi Arabia to receive a motorcycle circuit license. She transitioned to rally racing following an accident and has continued to break barriers for women in motorsport.
