Abu Dhabi: European cross-country rally teams have dominated the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for many years, but private drivers have their best-ever chance of achieving a podium finish in the event, which takes place this month.
Mohammad Bin Sulayem, FIA Vice President for Sport, President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the rebranded event said expatiates are eagerly anticipating the start of this year's event in Abu Dhabi from March 22 to March 27.
"We are seeing extra strong support from local participants," said Bin Sulayem in a press release.
UAE-based Briton, David Mabbs, 36, is one of the expat hopefuls looking for a podium place. Mabbs, a marine engineering project manager, sourced a unique Toyota FJ Cruiser on the internet from the United States. He gave it its inaugural run at last November's Desert Challenge, but an accident involving a heavy landing in the dunes hospitalised his then co-driver, Tim Ansell with a lower back injury.
The Toyota's unique design was thoroughly reviewed by the FIA's technical committee in Paris and Mabbs was forced to implement several changes before the car could be admitted into the FIA T1 category and become eligible for events like the Desert Challenge.
The engine - which let him down on January's Ha'il Saudi Baja - remains a near-standard four litre V6 unit, but the rear end has been fitted with a unique four-link suspension, equipped with new shock absorbers fitted with coil-over springs and Jounce Shocks. The front suspension has also been custom-built for this type of rallying.
There was still a fair amount of work to be done before the FJ was eligible for the Desert Challenge. A new bulkhead has been installed between the cockpit and the rear cabin-mounted fuel tank and new seats have been fitted, with six-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.
Team Saluki's Mark Powell, meanwhile, has been a keen participant in the Desert Challenge for many years in Land Rover-based products, but he finished a superb second overall in the recent Ha'il Saudi Baja in a Honda-engined Buggy.
"We got the car working perfectly in Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago and that has given the team tremendous confidence," said Powell.
Ian Barker is a friend and racing rival of Mabbs, Reid and Powell. He and Sheila Hutton-Barker make up the only husband and wife rally team in the Desert Challenge. Barker was unable to achieve the result he wanted in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, but heads to the UAE capital with a rebuilt Nissan Patrol and one eye on the leader board.
ADTA's Deputy Director General Tourism Operations Ahmad Hussain said: "We are fully behind the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for many reasons, not least its ability to attract interest from a wide range of drivers and spectators."
