PORDENONE (ITALY): Saudi Arabian female driver Dania Akeel returned to competitive off-road action and teamed up with Frenchman Laurent Lichtleuchter to secure a podium finish and third overall in the FIA T3 category for lightweight prototype machines at the Italian Baja, round three of the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
 
Akeel found a competitive pace quickly, despite a near five-month gap between the second and third rounds of the FIA Baja series.
 
She again drove a Can-Am Maverick XRS, prepared by the Germany-based South Racing Can-Am Team, and was actually awarded points for second position in her T3 challenge, as event runner-up Santiago Navarro is not registered for the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. Akeel now holds second place in the T3 Championship behind Argentinian Fernando Alvarez.
 
The event took place in hot and dusty conditions on four varied and demanding selective sections that were laid on by the Italian organisers across flood plains, river beds, rocky terrain and through several narrow wooded areas in north-eastern Italy.
 
Akeel said: “It was a really fun race and the scenery was stunning. We had open areas between the farms and also a lot of wooded parts and the river areas. It was nice. It was a varied route and you had to use a lot of different driving skills. This pushes you to get better and better and more comfortable.
 
“I was definitely more comfortable on the last day than the day before, especially on the tight turns in the woods. I was happy to see that develop a bit. I still had to reverse once or twice when it was really tight. But every race you learn a bit more. We had a great time and the car was amazing. Thanks to Toyota ALJ, Hertz. Tamer and BF Goodrich for supporting me this season and making it such fun to drive.”
 
Timed action got underway with a Qualifying Stage of 14.30km between San Martino al Tagliamento and Valvasone late on Friday afternoon. Akeel started cautiously on the demanding gravel tracks and was classified in sixth place in the T3 category.
 
Repeat passes through a selective section of 112.48km between Zoppola and Dignano made up Saturday’s itinerary.  Akeel was in superb form through the opener and finished second in T3 behind the experienced Dutchman Erik van Loon to move up to a similar place in the overall rankings, just 1min 26.2sec off the lead.
 
Despite dusty conditions on the stony river beds, Akeel continued her impressive form through the afternoon and the fourth quickest time kept her in the hunt for a podium finish.
 
The fourth and final stage of 115.09km started at Dignano and finished at Cordenons before the ceremonial finish in Pordenone. Van Loon won the special to secure overall T3 success and the fifth quickest time was sufficient for Akeel to wrap up third in the T3 category. 
 
The talented Saudi has a multi-year title sponsorship partnership with ALJ Toyota and is receiving additional support from Tamer, Hertz and BF Goodrich for her challenge for honours in the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
 
Dania returns to action at the Teruel-based Baja Spain Aragón on July 22nd-24th.
 
Italian Baja 2022 – FIA T3 final standings: