Racing the Big Red | Racing a SxS in the UAE, a unique, first-of-its-kind opportunity

Racing a SxS in the UAE, a unique, first-of-its-kind opportunity

By Willem Avenant | Willem Avenant Racing

When most people think of the United Arab Emirates, they picture skyscrapers, luxury, and high-end shopping. But just beyond the city lies something entirely different: the desert of Sharjah and Dubai, often called Big Red. This name isn’t a marketing gimmick. It comes from the deep red color of the sand, rich in iron oxide. The region sits on an ancient tectonic plate, scattered with fossilized seabeds that tell stories from millions of years ago. It’s a geological wonder and now, it’s becoming the center of a motorsports movement.

In April this year, I had the opportunity to travel to the UAE to facilitate training with Big Red Racing, a team that's taking big steps as they prepare for the 2026 racing season. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that racing here is different. The Middle East has quickly become the new hub for off-road motorsports. Dakar now takes place just next door in Saudi Arabia, and the regional calendar is packed with competitive rallies and desert races. Events span the UAE, Oman, Jordan, and Qatar, attracting professional teams and drivers from around the world.

While I was there, I attended Round 4 of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge with Big Red Racing. Racing locally in the UAE is incredible. There’s big prize money, top-tier catering, and event halls with air conditioning, a welcome relief in the desert heat. The level of competition is high, and although these events currently use marked courses, the EMSO is working to introduce roadbook navigation in the future.

The Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge is a championship made up of four races, expanding to possibly five next year. It’s one of many events in the area, alongside the Dubai International Baja, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and several others. What makes Big Red Racing stand out is not just the racing, but their unique location. They are based about an hour from Dubai International Airport in the Emirate of Sharjah. The UAE has seven emirates, each with its own government and unique characteristics. Sharjah offers direct access to stunning desert terrain, which is perfect for training and racing.

Big Red Racing’s headquarters, or “base,” is a clean and modern facility that supports both tourism and racing. Racers have their own lounge to relax and prepare, complete with snacks, drinks, and great coffee. The on-site workshop is well-equipped and has quick access to parts thanks to close relationships with regional dealers. I spent two weeks with the team and was impressed not just by their professionalism, but by the atmosphere. It felt like a family, not just a race team.

Despite being relatively new to the scene, only entering competition in the second-to-last round of the 2023-2024 season, Big Red Racing has already shown impressive results.

2023-2024 Season
Round 3 - First place
Round 4 - Second place

2024-2025 Season
Round 1 - First, second, and third places
Round 2 - First and third places
Round 3 - First and second places
Round 4 - First and second places

Championship overall results include first, second, fourth, sixth, and eleventh places. That’s a strong statement for such a young team.

Big Red Racing runs a fleet of Can-Am Maverick R and X3 vehicles, including T4-class units. One of their key strengths is that they equip their vehicles with proven, high-quality components. This includes auxiliary fuel tanks to eliminate the need for refueling in shorter races, giving their drivers a competitive edge.

Whether you're looking to train for a major event, improve your driving skills, learn how to navigate in the dunes, or actually compete in a race, Big Red Racing offers the tools and experience to support you. For the upcoming season, they’ve launched a new concept that opens up racing in the UAE to drivers from around the world. It’s perfect for anyone, from friends looking for an adventure to serious competitors preparing for Dakar.

They’ve introduced a special season deal for the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge. If you enter all five races, you can take part in the full season for just $55,000. This includes a complete arrive-and-drive setup. You can also join individual races, but the discount applies only if you commit to the full season.

The Big Red Racing package is built to remove stress and let you focus on racing. It includes five detailed training sessions with a team instructor, a two-hour test drive before each race day, and transport to all events. The team takes care of logistics and admin, provides a dedicated mechanic, and supplies a fully prepped Can-Am Maverick R or X3. Spare parts like belts, radiators, fans, tires, and fluids are included. Race gear is provided, and meals and drinks are available throughout the event. All internal travel for the Big Red Racing crew is covered.

Not included in the base package are flights, visas, and accommodation, though accommodation can be arranged as an add-on. Damage outside of the included spare parts is billed separately. Additional services like media coverage, GoPro footage, custom merchandise, and co-driver support are available for an extra fee.

This flexible setup makes it easy to tailor the experience to your needs, whether you're a privateer getting started or a pro in need of competition mileage before a big event.

If you're interested in racing or training in the UAE, or just want to learn more, feel free to reach out to me  with questions. This is a rare opportunity to race in some of the most iconic dunes in the world with a professional, supportive team behind you.

You can contact me with any questions, or if you are interested in making use of this amazing offer (only valid until end of July) -  willem@willemavenantracing.com

You can download Willem's brochure here:

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