X-Raid team eyes desert challenge glory

Dubai: BMW's X-Raid team, winner of last year's Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, has entered this month's 2,000 kilometre cross-country rally, upbeat that it is well placed for a repeat victory.

Russia's Leonid Novitskiy will take the driving seat with German Andreas Schulz at his side. The duo finished 11th overall in their BMW X3 CC at the recent Dakar rally, which has placed them early favourite to defend the BMW X-Raid team's 2009 title clinched by Guerlain Chicherit and Tina Thorner.

X-Raid's team manager, Sven Quandt said the last 12 months had been great for this year's title contenders.

"Novitskiy and Schulz smack of a winning team. They finished second overall in Morocco and did really well at the Dakar..they are in tip-top condition to take on Abu Dhabi's Western Region's gruelling terrain.

"Compared to the Dakar's long straight run, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is 2,000 kilometres, however the dust, heat and the unknown element that belongs to the desert sands alone is a tough challenge for even the most experienced drivers. I believe that our team has what it takes to emerge a winner in tough terrain."