Abu Dhabi: One very familiar face will be missing when the world’s top cross country rally stars take on the Empty Quarter next week, but another competitor will extend his 100 per cent appearance record in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan.
Miran Stanovnik, the veteran rider from Slovenia, won’t feature in the event’s 25th edition because of a training injury, ending an unbroken run of 19 appearances since the rally was extended to include bikes in 1995.
UAE driver Yahya Al Helei, meanwhile, adds to his remarkable record as the only competitor to start every Desert Challenge since the event was launched in 1991.
“We’re disappointed that Miran can’t make it this year, but probably not as disappointed as he is,” said Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) President Mohammad Bin Sulayem, the rally founder.
“He loves the event and has become part of the Desert Challenge family, who keep coming back year after year because of the special nature of the rally and the camaraderie that exists among competitors. We’ll miss him, but he already told me he’ll be back next year.”
Bin Sulayem added: “Yahya is another of the great characters of the Desert Challenge. It’s amazing that he hasn’t missed one year, but on top of that he has produced some fantastic performances, showing that Emiratis can compete with the best in the world.”
Boasting a string of production class wins and impressive overall finishes, Al Helei is back in action next week in the Nissan pick-up he took to fourth place last year, missing out on a podium place by just eight seconds.
