The Dubai International Baja, the oldest motorsport event in the Middle East and renowned for its difficulty, formed the final round of the World Baja World Cup Finale. Held from 20 to 23 November 2025, the event was headquartered at Festival City Mall in Dubai, featured a 5 kilometre prologue in Hatta, and included two punishing special stages in the Al Qudra Desert.
Big Red Racing arrived with an impressive contingent of eight vehicles, with seven competing in the National Class and one in the FIA class, ready to tackle one of the region’s most demanding rally events.
Strong South African performances across key categories
South African competitors delivered competitive pace and professional execution, particularly in the SSV and Challenger categories, reinforcing the country’s strong rally racing pedigree in Middle Eastern desert events.
The standout South African result came from Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (car #404), who finished seventh overall in the SSV1 class driving a BRP Can-Am Maverick R for South Racing Can-Am. They posted an overall stage time of 6:33:47.7 with only a 30-second penalty, finishing with a total time of 6:34:17.7, just under 30 minutes behind the overall leader.
Another South African entry, Johannes Kleinschmidt (car #707), competing solo for Big Red Racing in a BRP Can-Am Maverick X3, finished fifth in the SSV PRO class. Despite receiving a nine-minute and 30-second time credit (indicated by a negative penalty) for helping another racer who flipped, his final time of 7:03:07.9 placed him just over 25 minutes off the lead. Kleinschmidt also assisted multiple rolled vehicles during the rally, getting competitors back onto their wheels despite it costing him time, a reminder of the rally raid spirit that still runs strong in modern competition.
A debut to remember for Bassam Kronfli and Willem Avenant
In a remarkable debut performance in rally raid, Bassam Kronfli secured third place overall in the National class with Willem Avenant as navigator and co-driver. It was an outstanding achievement for a competitor who only decided to pursue rally racing six months ago.
Avenant’s role proved pivotal throughout the event, both in managing the rhythm of the early stages and in delivering the consistency needed to reach the podium. The Big Red Racing duo also finished third in their class in the National SSV PRO category (car #709), posting a total time of 6:58:33.3, a result that reflected solid navigation, measured decision-making, and disciplined pace in tough desert conditions.
The prologue: conservative and calculated
The 5 kilometre prologue in Hatta featured rocky, twisty terrain with slippery wadis and small rocky hills, a very different challenge to the dunes that followed. Kronfli and Avenant opted for a conservative approach, focusing on learning the course and avoiding unnecessary risk. In Baja racing, tradition teaches that you do not win it in the prologue, but you can certainly lose it there.
Stage 1: technical dunes and heavy attrition
Stage 1 in the Al Qudra desert, known for technical dunes and its proximity to Dubai, proved brutal, with numerous retirements. At the start, the crew encountered an ERTF issue. While it did not cost time, it was a disruption, as the device was not configured exactly as originally set up for the event.
The stage featured numerous drops, technical dune sections, and thick camel grass that punished both cars and crews. Here, the team’s T4 car specification offered a strategic advantage, with increased fuel capacity saving valuable time at refuelling.
Kronfli’s ability in technical dunes came to the fore as he negotiated the harsh sections while keeping the car damage-free. The crew finished third overall for the stage, laying the foundation for a strong overall result.
Stage 2: faster flow, sharper focus
Stage 2, also in Al Qudra, delivered a different character, with more flowing sections and faster flat terrain where concentration and accuracy became decisive. An earlier start proved beneficial, and although technical sections remained, the stage rhythm was improved compared to the opening day.
The T4 specification was less advantageous here due to FIA-spec turbo restriction, limiting straight-line speed and acceleration compared to stock or pro SSV cars. Still, rally racing rewards consistency, and the crew brought the car home cleanly again, securing fifth on the stage while others fell away through retirements and incidents.
Final result: podium success built on consistency
Consistency across both stages delivered an overall third place finish in the National class. For a debutant in rally raid competition, it was a milestone result, and it underlined a simple truth that the old hands have always known: in the desert, steady and smart beats flashy and broken.
A historic result for Big Red Racing
The Dubai International Baja also marked a watershed moment for Big Red Racing. In a rare display of team dominance, Big Red Racing claimed all five top positions in the National class, a clean sweep that showcased depth, preparation, and discipline. The success extended beyond National honours, with their FIA Auto class entry finishing 12th overall and second overall in the Challenger T3 classification, rounding out a comprehensive team performance.
Acknowledgements and thanks
The result in Dubai was made possible by the support of Big Red Racing and the wider rally community. Thanks also go to EMSO and the Dubai International Baja organisers, along with officials and volunteers, for delivering an event worthy of its reputation.
For Bassam Kronfli, the Dubai podium is not a finish line. It is the starting block for what promises to be an exciting rally raid journey.
Watch recap video: https://youtu.be/qCFqavHUs84
Published by Willem Avenant
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