Abu Dhabi: The eyes of the cross-country rallying world are on the UAE capital again as the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan prepares to launch another spectacular episode of World Cup and World Championship action.
Taking place under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western region, the Desert Challenge is organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the national motorsport authority.
The 26th edition of the event gets underway at 3pm on Saturday with a super special spectator stage at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi, before the rally sweeps out into the Western Region of Al Gharbia to cross some of the most dramatic terrain on earth.
A powerful line-up of 166 competitors from 36 countries has assembled at Yas Marina Circuit, the rally HQ, for the second round of the 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies and the opening round of this year’s FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship.
Heading the 62-strong cars category are Russia’s defending champions and top seeds Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhilstov, who are aiming to complete a hat-trick of victories in one of seven prototype All4 Racing Minis entered.
A press conference staged by the ATCUAE at Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday was attended by sponsors of the Desert Challenge and the participants in the event in order to announce the launch of the 26th edition of the rally.
“We’re very happy to welcome such a strong gathering of competitors, support crews, officials and media to the UAE. It means a great deal to me, to my team at the ATCUAE, our sponsors, and the many volunteers who give up their time each year and work so hard with us to make it happen,” said Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit, commented: “Being one of the world’s most prestigious international cross-country rallies, Yas Marina Circuit is proud to support the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Each year we look to play an ever-increasing role, helping the ATCUAE ensure the rally continues to showcase Abu Dhabi as a world-class sporting destination.”
Among the biggest rivals for Vasilyev’s drivers’ Desert Challenge title are Qatar’s two-time Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al Attiyah, the UAE’s most experienced World Rally Championship contender Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi, Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and Finland’s 2012 WRC runner-up Mikko Hirvonen. Shaikh Khalid is driving a new Abu Dhabi Racing MINI ALL4 Racing, which he unveiled after Thursday’s official press conference when joined by Bin Sulayem.
The host country’s 18-car challenge also includes Yahya Al Helei, who maintains his 100 per cent appearance in the event as the eighth seed, while his son Mansour looks to capture the T2 production class title for the second year in a row. Also among the top-10 seeds is female German driver Jutta Kleinschmidt, who remains the only woman to have won the Dakar Rally following her 2001 success.
With 42 riders from 12 nations assembled in Abu Dhabi, a first-time bikes champion is guaranteed this time. Last year’s runner-up, Dubai-based British rider Sam Sunderland, is the top seed, followed by Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla, who finished third 12 months ago, and this year’s Dakar Rally winner, Australian Toby Price, who is chasing victory on his Desert Challenge debut.
Top Emirati rider, Mohammad Al Beloushi, who has a succession of Arab motocross titles to his credit, is seeded fourth as he looks to build on successive sixth place finishes, while multiple Spanish and European motorcycle trials champion Laia Sanz, among four female riders in action, is seeded sixth.
Saturday’s super special stage at Al Forsan International Sports Resort gives spectators the chance to see the cars, buggies, bike and quads surge into action in a race against the clock, before the rally heads off into the desert plains and mighty dunes of the Western Region of Al Gharbia.
The event finishes at Yas Marina Circuit next Thursday.
Schedule:
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan — Rally:
Saturday: Super Special Spectator Stage — Al Forsan International Sports Resort — start 3pm.
Sunday: Yas Marina Circuit Stage 1 (278km)
Monday: ADNOC Stage 2 (279km)
Tuesday: Al Ain Water Stage 3 (280km)
Wednesday: Nissan Patrol Stage 4 (258km)
Thursday: Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5 (234km)
Finish: Yas Marina Circuit — 4.30pm.
