Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan presented trophies to the winners in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan at the official prizegiving on Thursday.
Shaikh Hamdan, the patron of the event, was accompanied by Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the rally organisers, and FIA Vice-President, as competitors, officials, members of the search-and-rescue and medical teams, volunteers, and media, celebrated the conclusion of the 24th Desert Challenge.
Among those to receive trophies from Shaikh Zayed were Russians Vladimir Vasilyev and co-driver Konstantin Zhilstov, winners of the cars title, new bikes champion Paulo Goncalves of Portugal, and quads winner Rafal Sonik of Poland.
During the event at the Centro Hotel, Yas Island, prizes were also presented to the winners in the inaugural 2013-14 UAE Desert Championship, the new series of baja rallies, which is a feeder event for the Desert Challenge.
The Masters trophy for the champion bike rider in the over 40s category, was received by Jane Waugh, wife of Cameron Waugh, who succumbed to injuries at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, on Monday following an accident on the first special stage.
Bin Sulayem said: “We have lost a friend who loved this sport. In the Desert Challenge, we are all part of a big family, and Cameron’s family will always be part of this.”
The 24th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge was held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region.
Used by the route planning team to create the desert stages, the Nissan Patrol, “Hero of All terrain in Life”, was the official vehicle of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for an 11th year.
