Jordan Baja cancelled for 2020

AMMAN — Jordan Motorsport has announced that its flagship Jordan Baja will not be going ahead this year, conceding that the on going global COVID-19 pandemic is making it difficult to identify an alternative weekend after it was originally postponed in April.

Jordan was due to host the third round of the 2020 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIM Bajas World Cup from April 16-18, but postponed in March when the extent of the virus’s global spread became clearer.

It was hoped to rearrange the Aqaba-based event for later in the year, but officials have made the sensible decision to instead come back ‘bigger and better’ in 2021 after consulting with the sport’s governing bodies, the FIA and FIM.

“We always place the utmost importance on the safety and wellbeing of all of those involved in our events as well as the wider Jordan population, and in these turbulent and uncertain times it is with a heavy heart that we announce the decision to Cancel the Jordan Baja for 2020,” said Zaid Balqez, Jordan Motorsport CEO and chairman of the Organising Committee.

“We have kept in constant contact with our colleagues at the FIA and FIM throughout the pandemic, and we feel that this is the most sensible decision that can be made for all parties concerned.

“We can now focus on 2021 and delivering a Jordan Baja that will return even bigger and better for the motorsport community to enjoy, and we look forward to welcoming the world back to Jordan when it is safe to do so.”

The first Jordan Baja was held in 2018 as a successful candidate event, and then took its place on the full FIA calendar last year. The 2020 edition was set to include the FIM Bajas World Cup round for bikes for the first time.

The event has drawn praise from the motorsport world due to its stunning location through Wadi Rum, a popular location for recent Hollywood blockbusters, and organisers are already looking ahead to a ‘Return of the Baja’ in 2021.