Dubai Baja: Variawa wins prologue, Barreto disqualified
The newsroomUpdated on November 7, 20264 minIn the Dubai International Baja prologue, World Baja Cup leader Barreto is disqualified for unauthorised notes; Saood Variawa inherits the win.
Key point
Saood Variawa wins the Dubai International Baja prologue after FIA World Baja Cup leader Francisco Barreto was disqualified for using notes the organisers had not issued.
The prologue of the Dubai International Baja at Mushrif Park delivered a twist on Friday. Francisco Barreto, leader of the FIA World Baja Cup, was struck from the results; Saood Variawa (Toyota Hilux IMT Evo, with Charan Moore) inherits the win.
Why Barreto was disqualified
Barreto had set the fastest time, but video on social media showed his navigator Paulo Fiúza using notes not issued by the organisers. The FIA sporting delegate filed a report on Friday evening: article 14.2.6 of the 2026 Cross-Country Rally Sporting Regulations lists the permitted on-board documents. Fiúza confirmed at the hearing that he had used his own notes; the stewards called it significant and contrary to the fairness of the event.
The decision came more than four hours after the prologue ended. Team SVR may appeal. Barreto loses only the prologue points and can start Saturday's first selective section. Before the penalty he led Mitchel van den Brink by 23 points in the World Cup, a gap that now narrows slightly.
The car results
The top ten finished within 15 seconds. Variawa won with 00:03:01.5.
- Saood Variawa / Charan Moore (Toyota Hilux IMT Evo)
- Aliyyah Koloc / Michal Pasek (Red-Lined Revo GRT), +6.5 s
- Sergei Remennik / Anton Ignatov (Taurus T3 Max), +7.4 s
- Hamed Al-Wahaibi / François Cazalet (Can-Am Maverick R), +9.3 s
- Mitchel van den Brink / Bart van Heun (Can-Am Maverick R), +11.7 s
Van den Brink, third in Challenger 2.4 s behind Al-Wahaibi, leads that class by a wide margin.
Bikes, quads and SSVs
Among the bikes, Alex McInnes (KTM) was fastest with 00:02:56.5, ahead of Ethan Lane by 0.7 s and Konrad Dabrowski by 3.3 s. McInnes led the FIM Bajas World Cup going into Qatar, two points ahead of Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera, who was 22nd in the prologue. In the quads, Abdulaziz Ahli was fastest for the fourth year running in Dubai.
What comes next
Saturday brings the first selective section, 177 km at Al Qudra; Sunday the second, 179 km at Al Faqa'a. The rally totals 701 km, 361 km of it timed. The podium ceremony is set for 20:00 on Sunday.
The editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Why was Francisco Barreto disqualified from the prologue?
His navigator Paulo Fiúza used notes not issued by the organisers. The stewards called it contrary to the fairness of the event, under article 14.2.6 of the sporting regulations.
Can Barreto keep racing?
Yes. He loses only the prologue points and can start Saturday's first selective section.
How long is the rally?
701 km in total, 361 km timed: a 177 km section at Al Qudra on Saturday and a 179 km one at Al Faqa'a on Sunday.
Sources
- RallyTracks — Variawa wins Dubai Baja prologue, Barreto struck from results
- Dubai International Baja — The Mushrif Park prologue
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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