Dubai International Baja: Bassam Kronfli's Remarkable Debut Secures Podium Finish
By Willem Avenant
The Dubai International Baja, the oldest motorsport event in the Middle East and renowned for its difficulty, served as the final round of the World Baja World Cup Finale. Taking place from November 20-23, 2025, the event was based at Festival City Mall in Dubai, with a prologue in Hatta and two special stages in the Al Qudra Desert.
Big Red Racing arrived with an impressive contingent of eight vehicles, seven competing in the National Class and one in the FIA class, ready to tackle one of the region's most challenging rally events.
A Debut to Remember
In a remarkable debut performance, Bassam Kronfli secured an impressive third place overall in the National class with me as his navigator / co-pilot, an outstanding achievement for someone who only decided to pursue rally racing six months ago. Despite being well-established in circuit racing, Bassam proved his versatility and natural talent in the challenging world of rally raid, demonstrating that skill behind the wheel transcends disciplines.
The Prologue: A Conservative Start
The 5km prologue stage in Hatta featured rocky, twisty terrain with slippery wadis (dry riverbeds) and small rocky hills, quite different from the racing conditions that would follow in the desert stages. We took a conservative approach, opting not to push hard with the understanding that there was little to gain and everything to lose. The focus remained simply on getting a feel for the course and enjoying the experience before the real competition began.
Stage 1: Technical Dunes Test Competitors
Stage 1 in the Al Qudra desert, well known for its technical dunes and proximity to Dubai, proved brutal for competitors across the board, with many retirements marking the day. We encountered an ERTF issue at the start that, while not costing time, it did throw me off slightly as the device wasn't configured exactly as originally set up by me for the event.
The demanding dune sections featured numerous drops and technical terrain with abundant camel grass, physically punishing both driver and machine. However, our T4 car specification worked in their favor. The increased fuel capacity allowed us to save valuable time during refueling stops, providing a strategic advantage over the competition.
Bassam's exceptional skill in technical dunes shone through as he expertly navigated the challenging sections while keeping the car damage-free, no small feat given the attrition rate. We finished the stage in third place overall, setting the tone for the rest of the event.
Stage 2: Finding the Rhythm
The second stage, also in Al Qudra, offered a contrasting character with more flowing sections and faster flat terrain, where I had to concentrate. Starting earlier in the day proved beneficial, and while technical sections remained, the stage had better rhythm and flow compared to the opening day.
Bassam hit his stride, and the teamwork clicked perfectly as we maintained momentum throughout. Stage 2 saw its share of retirements and crashes among competitors, but once again Bassam brought the car home safely, consistency proving to be the name of the game.
The T4 specification was less advantageous on this faster stage. Its FIA-spec turbo restriction meant we couldn't match the straight-line speed and acceleration of stock or pro SSV cars. However, rally racing rewards consistency above all else, and we secured fifth place for the stage while many others fell by the wayside.
A special mention to a fellow competitor, team mate and friend, Johannes Kleinschmidt, who assisted multiple rolled vehicles on the stage, getting them back on their wheels despite eating into his own time, true rally spirit in action.
The Final Result: Podium Success
The consistent performance across both stages delivered an overall third place finish in the National class, a result that exceeded expectations for a debut performance. For someone who had only entered the rally racing world six months prior, standing on the podium at one of the Middle East's most prestigious events represented a significant milestone.
Looking Ahead
The success at Dubai International Baja was made possible by the incredible support of Big Red Racing, a team making serious waves in the motorsports world and going from strength to strength. Thanks also went to EMSO and Dubai International Baja, along with all officials and volunteers, for organizing such a fantastic event.
For Bassam Kronfli, the podium finish in Dubai marks not an end, but the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey in rally raid competition. With natural talent, a supportive team, and the determination to learn and improve, the future looks bright for this circuit racing convert who has found a new home in the dunes.
A Historic Result for Big Red Racing
The Dubai International Baja marked a watershed moment for Big Red Racing as a team. In a display of dominance rarely seen in rally competition, Big Red Racing claimed all five top spots in the National class, a clean sweep that underscored the team's growing strength and depth. The success extended beyond the National category, with their FIA Auto class entry securing an impressive 12th place overall and finishing second overall in the competitive Challenger T3 classification. This comprehensive team performance demonstrated that Big Red Racing has evolved from ambitious newcomers to serious contenders across multiple categories, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Middle Eastern rally racing.
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