Dubai: Two of the biggest rivals in Middle East motorsport will be battling against history, as well as each other when they chase victory in the Nissan-powered Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge next week.
Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and the UAE’s Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi are seeded second and third, respectively, for the 26th edition of the event running from April and both are highly capable of breaking a run of seven successive wins by overseas drivers in the UAE.
His triumph in 2008 made Al Attiyah only the third Arab driver to enjoy success in the Desert Challenge, and on numerous occasions since and before then he has been frustrated by the demands of a route crossing the dramatic desert terrain of the Western Region of Al Gharbia.
The other two Arab champions emerged only in the 90s – the UAE’s Mohammad Mattar who won the first two editions in 1991 and 1992, and Qatari Saeed Al Hajri who took the honours in 1993.
Al Attiyah went into last year’s Desert Challenge as the warm favourite, having secured his second Dakar Rally win a few weeks earlier.
While he led at the finish, the Qatari was excluded shortly afterwards for a technical irregularity, and he returns to the UAE looking to put that disappointment behind him. He is partnered by French navigator Matthieu Baumel, this time in an Overdrive Toyota Hilux.
Al Attiyah and Shaikh Khalid have competed against each other over two decades in the Middle East and World Rally Championships, and their rivalry was extended to the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies when the Emirati made his Desert Challenge debut 12 months ago.
He was immediately on the pace, and by the penultimate leg was within reach of a podium place when his Toyota Hilux went out with a broken gearbox.
This time he will be looking for better fortunes at the wheel of a MINI ALL4 Racing alongside Emirati co-driver Khalid Al Kendi.
“This is a World Cup event attracting top competitors from around the globe, and it’s no surprise that we have had so many overseas winners over the years,” said Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the rally organisers, and President of EMSF.
“Nasser obviously has to be one of the big favourites again this time while Khalid showed last year how capable he is in cross country rallying. Yazeed Al Rajhi could also be in there fighting for the win, so the chances of an Arab driver coming through are good.”
