Liwa Team's run in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas has shifted, with Emirati driver Mansour Al Balooshi and co-driver Khalid Al Kendi now leading the SSV standings after a strong showing in Spain. Their 51-point result at Baja España Aragón brought their total to 212 points, putting them 30 ahead of Argentina's Fernando Alvarez.
This jump in the standings puts Liwa Team in direct contention for the overall title as the championship enters its final stages. Al Balooshi is now second in the overall World Cup, just 10 points behind the leader. The FIA's official entry list for the Spanish round included Mansour Al-Helai and Khalid Al-Kendi (UAE) in car 400, confirming their place at the front of the SSV field.
"Prior to Baja España Aragón, Hedda Hosås and Pol Tibau led the SSV standings by 15 points after four rounds, highlighting the significance of the leadership change during the Spanish stage."
FIA
Spain marked a turning point. Driving the Can-Am Maverick R, Al Balooshi and Al Kendi finished ahead of a field with strong international competition, including Norway's Heda Hosas, now third with 176 points. The Emirati pair's steady driving and tactical approach have set a new standard for the season. FIA reports confirm the UAE crew overtook the previous leaders in the SSV category after this event.
Al Balooshi commented on the result, saying, "We have secured a crucial result this season, but the competition remains fierce. Our focus is on maintaining the SSV lead and pushing further up the global rankings." This quote could not be independently verified in official FIA communications.
The next round, BP Ultimate Baja de Portalegre, is set for Portugal from 15 to 18 October. Liwa Team is preparing to defend its lead and close the gap in the overall standings. Only two rounds remain after Portugal-Qatar and the UAE-to decide the championship. The FIA calendar lists the Portuguese event as a key stage in the run to the title.
"Despite the focus on the championship battle, the official FIA report for Baja Spain Aragón 2026 lists Afonso Oliveira and Daniel Jordão as the SSV category winners with the best overall time, a result also confirmed by Spanish and Portuguese media. This highlights the depth of competition and occasional discrepancies between points standings and individual event outcomes."
FIA and Europa Press
Liwa Sports Club's support has played a key role behind the scenes. Al Balooshi credited the club's backing as a major factor in the team's rise and in representing the UAE internationally. This follows a wider pattern of Emirati sports organizations investing in global competition, as reported earlier in other sports.
Liwa Team's recent results show a UAE squad determined to challenge expectations in rally raid. With the championship heading into its final rounds, the pressure is on, but the team's technical skill, clear strategy, and strong support give them a real chance at the SSV title. If they can keep this pace, the championship could see a new Emirati winner at the top of world motorsport.
