Rokas Baciuška finishes third overall in Baja Hail

On Saturday, February 10th, the "Hail Toyota International" rally in Saudi Arabia concluded, with participants having to cover 164 kilometers of special stage on the second and final day. Competing in the Ultimate class, Lithuanian Rokas Baciuška, alongside co-driver Oriol Vidal Montijano (Overdrive Racing), finished in 1 hour, 39 minutes, and 54 seconds, securing 3rd place. The crew also placed third in the overall standings.

The World Rally-Raid champion drove steadily but was forced to open the track for the final 30-40 km. In the end, R. Baciuška was overtaken by Portuguese driver Joao Ferreira and finished 1 minute and 9 seconds behind local leader Yazeed Al-Rajhi.

"It's a bit disappointing to lose second place, but when Yazeed got lost, I had to lead everyone on the untraveled path. Our first attempt with the T1+ car in the Saudi desert went well. I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to this experience," said R. Baciuška.

 In the Ultimate class (formerly T1 and T1P), twelve crews competed, alongside 12 "Challenger" entries, three "Stock" vehicles, and 15 "SSV" vehicles. Other notable names competing with R. Baciuška in Toyota cars included Argentine Juan Cruz Yacopini and Saudi Arabian driver Dania Akeel.

The "Hail Toyota International" rally took place from February 8-10 and marked the first event of the FIM Bajas World Cup and the Saudi Arabian "Toyota" Championship. Participants covered a total of 472 kilometers over three days, with the route winding through deserts surrounding the northern central city.

After returning from Saudi Arabia, R. Baciuška won't have much time to rest. – At the end of February, he will compete in the second stage of the World Rally-Raid Championship in Abu Dhabi, continuing to race in the "Challenger" class buggy and aiming to move closer to another world championship title.