Alvarez sets early pace in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Abu Dhabi: Argentinian Lucio Alvarez set the early pace in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Sunday after a powerful sandstorm bringing strong winds and dramatically reducing visibility meant that only the cars were able to tackle a shortened first leg while the 51 bike and quad riders were forced to sit out of the action.

Driving a Toyota Hilux Overdrive X T1 in partnership with Bernardo Graue, Alvarez held a lead of 3mins 19 seconds at the end of Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management Special Stage 1 which had been reduced from 299km to 183km. He was followed by Spanish driver Nani Roma in a Mini, with Dutchman Erik Van Loon a further 3mins 38 seconds further away in third position in his HRX Ford X T1.

With Brazillian Guilherme Spinelli setting the fourth fastest time on the stage, UAE drivers Mohammad Al Mansouri in a Nissan Pathfinder and Mansour Al Helei in a Nissan Patrol completed the top six.

It was not a good day, however, for defending champion and six-times winner Jean-Louis Schlesser who had problems with his buggy’s air compressor and finished the stage in 11th position.

While his son Mansour was well satisfied with his day’s work, the UAE’s Yahya Al Helei, was not so happy after finishing the stage in 15th place, although still well in the hunt for another Desert Challenge T2 production class title.

“I have a new co-driver and this is a new partnership, and I started driving very nervously,” said Al Helei “Visibility was bad. You couldn’t see the ground clearly and a lot of cars were getting stuck. We also got stuck once but we drove hard over the last part.”

For much of the day, the weather had threatened to force a complete cancellation of the first leg, as the UAE’s Western Region of Al Garbia, which is the setting for the spectacular cross country rally, felt the full force of the storms lashing the Emirates.

Conditions made it impossible all morning for the Abu Dhabi Aviation Search and Rescue helicopters to take off and provide permanent cover as part of a sophisticated safety operation for the protection of competitors, officials and the small army of volunteers who help to run the event.

With gusty winds and sand clouds dramatically reducing visibility, making conditions particularly dangerous for the riders, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the rally organisers, were forced to cancel the stage for the bikes class. Just over an hour later, the 49 cars started the shortened Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management Stage.

“The safety of competitors, spectators, and organisers is always our top priority in the Desert Challenge, and the weather conditions forced our hand,” said ATCUAE President Mohammad Bin Sulayem, founder of the event.