Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge kicks off

Abu Dhabi: More than 100 drivers and motorbike riders will navigate routes across the Western Region over five days in the 23rd edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

The challenge, which begins on Saturday, will see the drivers first tackling a special stage on Yas Island.

With drivers from 37 countries taking part, the line-up includes some of the most illustrious names in cross-country rallying, including Brazilian Reinaldo Varela, who partners Italian co-driver Gustave Gugelmin in a Mitsubishi Pajero.

Others in the hunt for victory include Polish driver Krystof Holowczyk, Spaniard Nani Roma and Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser, who is chasing a seventh Desert Challenge success.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mohammad Bin Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and founder of the event, said: “The size and quality of the entry list shows the status the Desert Challenge enjoys.”

Bin Sulayem also warned drivers that they would be penalised if they polluted the desert environment with any waste from their vehicles.

The UAE’s Yahya Al Helei, who is seeded 10th and is aiming for a third successive victory in the T2 production class, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming race.

“I enjoy driving in my Nissan and I enjoy seeing other drivers stuck [in the dunes],” Al Helei said jokingly.

He added that the UAE desert was particularly “dangerous and different”, making the rally even more of a challenge.

“There hasn’t been much rain in the UAE over the past seven years and the sun is very difficult for us, which makes the dunes even more dangerous and only professional drivers can cross them,” he told Gulf News.

Having not missed a single Desert Challenge over the past years, Al Helei described the event as a “successful rally”, and said it has been growing each year to include more participants and new cars.

Taking place under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, the challenge will see drivers cross 299km, 250km, 284km, 266km, and 296km stages over the five days.

Motorsport fanatics can get a glimpse of the impressive collection of cars and motorbikes, which have assembled in Abu Dhabi from across six continents, during pre-race events at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday between 8am and 5pm.