Dubai: He doesn't expect to be in contention to win the 2011 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, but there is still a lot riding on the gruelling rally for Dubai resident David Mabbs.
The 38-year-old rally fanatic who moved to Dubai from the United Kingdom 12 years ago has competed in every edition of the Desert Challenge barring two since the start of the new millennium. His best finish in the event came two years ago when he secured fifth position overall in the cars category but won his class. And Mabbs is determined to at least match that effort if not better it for the sake of a very special support staff comprising friends who fly down every year from the UK at their own expense to help him out during the five-leg event.
"I've always had to keep to a minimum budget," the 38-year-old who will drive a modified Toyota FJ Cruiser over 1570kms of intimidating terrain, told XPRESS. "It's always been a car that I've had to prepare myself as without the aid of sponsors, we try to keep costs to a minimum."
He added: "I've had five friends come down on Wednesday morning to help out. They will form our mechanical staff and service crew for the race and really without them, it would be a struggle to do the race.
"They come down during their annual holiday in the UK and travel at their own expense. You could say they would be more disappointed than me if we didn't finish."
"We would like to at least equal the result of 2009 but the most important thing is getting the car home in one piece."
Mabbs has been backed by BF Goodrich for this year's event and aside from competing on a shoestring budget, he is proud of another feat.
"Ours was the first ever car to race in the event without a windshield," said the full-time marine engineer. "At the time, people thought we were mad but it's an experiment that has worked really well for us. Without the windshield, the temperature inside the car is actually cooler and I think there are about five other cars doing the same this year."
