PORTALEGRE (PORTUGAL): Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel overcame the rigours of one of the most challenging Bajas in the world calendar to stay firmly in contention for World Championship glory. The talented driver finished seventh in the FIA T3 category at Portugal’s Baja Portalegre 500, round six of the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, on Saturday evening.
 
Akeel lined up against one of the most formidable fields of quality European drivers this season, which included a host of experienced local racers with considerable knowledge of the demanding rural terrain in central Portugal.
 
The Can-Am Maverick X3 driver held her nerve, measured her pace to perfection and gradually climbed through the field to finish seventh after a short Qualifying Stage, three gruelling off-road selective sections and 447.62km timed against the clock. Torrential rain and muddy conditions provided a true sting in the tail on the final stage.
 
Akeel said: “Well, Baja Portalegre offered a bit of everything and the weather on Saturday afternoon certainly made it very challenging. But we had great fun and I am pleased with this result which keeps me second in the championship heading back to the Middle East.”
 
Frenchman Laurent Lichtleuchter returned to co-drive for the Saudi and she began her Portuguese challenge with a short 3.71km Qualifying Stage at Coutadas on Friday morning. This then decided the starting order for the first selective section that was shortened to 59.61km in the afternoon and ran between Ponte de Sor and Crato.
 
Akeel did not have a favourable starting position for the afternoon’s selective section and she began the longer stage with conditions already deteriorating on several sections of the track, especially in close proximity to some tricky water crossings. Nevertheless, Akeel stayed clear of trouble to finish the stage in an excellent 11^th position.
 
Akeel said: “It was a good stage and this was my first ever stage in Portugal. It was nice - the terrain changes. It was good to improve my driving skills on the tight corners, nice long twists and turns and a little bit of water also.”
 
The meat of the action at the 36^th edition of Portugal’s premier all-terrain event took place on Saturday with a run through a shortened opener of 179.64km and a challenging 204.66km finale. The shorter stage started in Ponte de Sor and finished in Alter de Chão, with the final test starting in Nisa and finishing in Portalegre.
 
Akeel delivered a superb performance, carding the fourth fastest time behind three Portuguese drivers and surging into sixth in the rankings.
 
The rate of attrition was high on the final stage in appalling weather conditions, but Akeel came home in seventh to seal a similar finish in the overall T3 standings.
 
Dania has a multi-year title sponsorship partnership with ALJ Toyota and is receiving additional support from Tamer, Hertz, PR Arabia, Boundless and BF Goodrich in her challenge for honours in the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
 
The seventh round of the series takes Akeel to her native Saudi Arabia for the Ha’il International Baja on November 10-12.
 
2022 Baja Portalegre – FIA T3 final standings: