Dania Akeel Crowned Champion of FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024: A Historic First

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 4, 2024 – Saudi driver Dania Akeel has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first female champion of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024. She secured her victory after winning her category at the final round of the Dubai International Baja.

Dania Akeel’s Historic Victory

Dania Akeel’s triumph in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024 marks a significant moment in Middle Eastern motorsport history. Participating in all four rounds of the championship across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Dubai, Akeel demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, ultimately clinching the overall championship title and achieving success in the Ultimate category.

Consistent Performance Across Four Rounds

Akeel’s performance throughout the championship was characterized by remarkable consistency. She secured podium finishes in the Middle East Baja Cup category at each rally:

Saudi Baja (Hail): Third place with Overdrive Toyota Hilux
Qatar Baja: First place with Overdrive Toyota Hilux, also led the overall standings after Day 1
Jordan Baja (Aqaba): Second place with South Racing Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo RR
Dubai International Baja: First place and category win with South Racing Can-Am, securing the championship title

Dania Akeel Crowned Champion of FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024- A Historic First1_ssict_1200_900

Akeel’s Strategic Approach to the Championship

Initially, Akeel hadn’t planned to compete in the entire championship. “I participated in Baja Hail as part of the Saudi Championship and registered for the Middle East Cup to evaluate my standing based on the points I could earn,” she explained. However, her strong performance and high standing led her to pursue the full championship.

“The result in Hail was strong, and afterward, I had the opportunity to race with Toyota and Overdrive in the Ultimate category at Baja Qatar,” Akeel said. “Following that rally, we noticed we were leading in that category and the Middle East Cup standings, which led to the decision to compete in Baja Jordan…I was able to secure second place in Jordan and earn valuable points, which encouraged me to participate in Baja Dubai, where I achieved victory and secured the championship title. It was a thrilling competition.”

Akeel emphasized the strategic element of her campaign: “It wasn’t just about the team or logistics; we also had to strategize on how to accumulate the maximum points to secure the championship title. I’m incredibly happy to have won the Ultimate category and the overall title as well.”

Teamwork and Support: The Keys to Success

Akeel highlighted the importance of teamwork and the contributions of her co-drivers: Stéphane Duplé (Hail, Qatar, and Dubai) and Sébastien Delaunay (Jordan). She also expressed gratitude to the various teams she competed with: Overdrive and Toyota, South Racing (Can-Am), and SRT Racing.