Dubai: Reigning Arabian Motorcycle Champion Mohammad Al Beloushi will make history tomorrow when he becomes the first UAE national to take part in the motorcycle class of the famous Dakar Rally — one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
Sporting the number 67, Al Beloushi will be making his debut in the 33rd staging of the rally on behalf of the KTM-UAE Rally Team, which has developed a four-year ‘Road to Dakar' programme with the eventual objective of entering a full, UAE-based team into the race.
Feeling excited
Speaking from the rally's base camp in the Argentinian coastal city of Mar Del Plata, Al Beloushi said: "Despite the 36-hour trip here, I've been feeling great. I've never felt as excited as I did when I arrived here.
"The Dakar Rally is the talk of the country, with signs and adverts everywhere. The Argentinians have been so friendly and enthusiastic, ... and how excited they are to see it begin.
"The weather has also been surprisingly good. I came prepared for extreme cold, which I know we are still likely to encounter during the fourth stage of the race when we start gaining altitude in the mountains."
While he is competing as the sole representative of the KTM-UAE Rally Team, Baloushi will benefit from the KTM Factory Rally Team on-site to provide comprehensive support
In addition to Al Baloushi, one of the UAE's most talented cross-country rally crews will also take part in the competition. Abdullah Al Heraiz and his co-driver Khalid Al Kindi will be there for the second successive year after finishing a respectable 26th out of 55 finishers in 2011.
The 2012 Dakar Rally is being hosted in South America for the fourth consecutive year. Starting on New Year's day in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, and ending on January 15 in Lima, Peru, the race consists of 14 rounds — five in Argentina, five in Chile and four in Peru — and will take in a total of more than 9,000km.
Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE President Mohammad Bin Sulayem said: "I consider Al Baloushi as one of the most capable athletes in the country — he takes good care of his health and fitness and continually expands his knowledge and abilities, which resulted in him winning the Arab championship three times in a row.
"As for Abdullah & Khalid, I'm very positive they will do an amazing job and finish in a much better place than last year due to their experience with this race."
