More than 800 kilometres, 270 teams and the attraction of 35 municipalities: Baja Aragón 2024 kicks off

Teruel once again hosts the Baja Aragón , the legendary motorsport event which celebrates its 40th anniversary since its first edition in 1984. More than 270 teams divided into four categories (cars, motorcycles, trucks, SSV and Parabaja) will fight for the prestigious trophy during the three days of the competition. Nearly 800 kilometres (512 timed kilometres) will cross 35 municipalities in the Jiloca region, Gea de Albarracín and Teruel .

The city of Teruel will host the Baja Aragón for the eleventh consecutive time. Since last Wednesday, the technical and administrative checks of the participants and vehicles have been carried out at the Teruel Congress and Exhibition Centre in order to have everything in order before the starting gun.

This afternoon, starting at 3.30pm, the real action begins with the prologue stage for the motorcycle and car categories. The stage is 7.5 kilometres long and will decide the starting order for Saturday. Starting first in this type of race has its advantages, such as having a clear track and getting rid of dust, an uncomfortable companion that can make driving and speed difficult. On the other hand, one of the drawbacks when the track is opened in a race where navigation is crucial is the high probability of losing time.

Saturday will be marked by two intense timed stages with a total of 350 kilometres . Fans will have to get up early, as the first participants will set off at 6.30 am. The main event is reserved for the stage to be run on Sunday. A total of 523 kilometres will start at 8.30 am to conclude the fortieth round of the Baja Aragón.

More than 800 kilometres that for many participants will be a preparation test for the legendary Dakar Rally 2025, which takes place in Saudi Arabia the first week of January. The Aragonese race will count towards the Baja World Cup and Nasser Al-Attiyah is the favourite to win his seventh Baja Aragón in the SSV category. Tosha Schareina and Lorenzo Santolino will be the favourites for victory in the motorcycle category.

THE PRINCE OF DAKAR ARRIVES IN TERUEL, WHERE HE WILL NOT MEET SAINZ

One of the most striking faces of the Aragonese event is the presence of Nasser Al-Attiyah , four-time Dakar Rally champion. The Qatari driver comes to Teruel in search of the seventh Baja of Aragon. For this edition, Al-Attiyah will compete for the first time in the T3 category. After seven years competing with the Toyota Hilux Dakar team, Nasser will race with the Dacia team, a fully electric car with which he will fight for his fifth touareg. In this Baja Aragon, the Qatari will not be able to test his new vehicle yet, because it is still in the testing phase.

Welcome to the Dacia Sandriders family! Are you ready to join us in this wild adventure? #TheDaciaSandriders #AdventureAwaits #WelcomeToTheFamily pic.twitter.com/M7MMtGvFrN

— The Dacia Sandriders (@DaciaSandriders) June 12, 2024

One of the most important absences from the race is that of Carlos Sainz. After finishing his adventure with the Audi team by winning his fourth Touareg, the driver from Madrid will take the wheel of the Ford Raptor. Like Al-Attiyah, the American brand is still in the testing phase and will not be ready for the Aragonese competition. However, we were able to see Carlos Sainz riding his new machine at the famous Goodwood exhibition.

Sainz and Al-Attiyah will have to wait until the Dakar to face each other again. Both drivers have had some memorable duels in the dunes of Arabia and on this occasion they will fight to break the tie and get the fifth Touareg.

TIBAU TEAM: FIRST TEAM COMPOSED OF WOMEN

In 2012, the Tibau Team, with 35 years of experience in the Dakar Rally , began a project to encourage female participation in motorsports events. At the controls of the Ivecco is Helena Tarruel, who has experience in the Dakar event, participating in the classic category since 2019. Tarruel provides comprehensive race management as well as navigation and technique for crossing dunes.

Jacqueline Ricci will be the co-driver for the Tibau Team, bringing with her all her experience in international competitions such as the “FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies” and the FIA ​​Bajas European Championship. Ricci is an expert in 4×4 driving and navigation in large dunes.

The third member of the team is Rebeca Aramburu, who will be the driver of the 1,000 hp Iveco. Aramburu made history by being the first woman to win a race in the Spanish drift championship in 2017, finishing in third place in the classification in 2018.

Team CEO Rafa Tibau confirms that “this race is just the beginning” as he continues to guide towards a future where “gender equality in Motorsport is a reality”.