Desert challenge event renamed

Abu Dhabi: The prestigious 18-year-old UAE Desert Challenge was on Tuesday renamed Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

This was disclosed yesterday in a press conference held by Ahmad Hussain, the deputy director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) for tourism operations, and Mohammad Bin Sulayem, the chairman of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and the Vice-President of FIA.

"The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is the new partnership between the ADTA and the ATCUAE and will be the season opener of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship. The inaugural event will run from March 22 to 27." Hussain told the conference.

"It will surely further strengthen the Abu Dhabi credentials as a tourism destination of distinction and major sporting events bearing in mind that the UAE capital will also host this year the Formula One Grand Prix and the Fifa Clubs World Championship." Hussain added.

"The UAE Desert Challenge came to Abu Dhabi in 1992 as first ever motor-sport in the city's history and from that year the sport has found all possible support to spread and improve," Bin Sulayem said.

"Changing the name will only strengthen the event because of the ADTA commitment to the championship and its determination to take it to new international levels.

"In the past years, the event proved a big success with more than 120 international media personnel covering the competitions compared to about 70 who cover the Paris Dakar Rally. We are looking forward to an exciting competition with all the world top teams taking part specially as there are two competitions in the same event: the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship." Bin Sulayem added.

ADTA, as part of its ownership of and commitment to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is examining the possibility to fielding Emirati candidates for the Team Abu Dhabi.

During the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, competitors will face two days of documentation and scrutinising (March 20 and 21), before a Super Special Stage in the UAE capital (on March 22) gets underway. With the final five days (March 23-27) will be in the Liwa desert and Moreeb area of the Empty Quarter, though the exact route meandering through the deserts is yet to be announced.

"Abu Dhabi has built a strong track record over the years for staging motor sports events.

"The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will further demonstrate the emirate's ability and readiness to host more world class motor sports events such as the WRC Series." Husssain said.