Prokop, Quintanilla clinch maiden Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

1.2196751-540626507 — Martin Prokop and co-driver David Pabiska celebrate after winning the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in the capital on Thursday. Image Credit: Courtesy: Organiser

Abu Dhabi: Czech driver Martin Prokop and Chilean rider Pablo Quintanilla completed their paths to victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan on Thursday, avoiding any late dramas as the event reached its conclusion after five days of spectacular action.

“I’m extremely happy of course to finish and it’s amazing to win, especially without making many mistakes over the five stages. My biggest issue building up to desert rallies was a lack of experience driving in the sand. I’ve been training hard over the past three years in Abu Dhabi and it’s good to see it pay off,” said a jubilant Jubilant Prokop.

Prokop and co-driver David Pabiska, who started the final leg holding a 15 mins 20secs cars lead, were fourth fastest on the 218-km Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage and won by 13 mins 30.2 secs overall from Poland’s Jakub Przygonski with Belgian Tom Colsoul in a Mini John Cooper.

“I’m really happy and it’s a great rally. It was a good fight between us (Prokop) and we had a chance to catch them over the stages. But a few mistakes on our part meant we couldn’t make the time back. Martin has been really great over the past few days so congratulations to him,” said Przygonski.

Russia’s two-times Desert Challenge winners Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov finished third, another 32 mins 59 secs behind in a Mini Cooper Countryman.

Final stage winner Cyril Despres took fourth place alongside Swiss Steve Ravussin in a Buggy Ford 2WD, while German Stephan Schott and Portuguese co-driver Paulo Fiuza in a Mini John Cooper and Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al Feraihi and Osama Alsanad in Nissan Patrol Pick Up completed the top six.

Another Saudi driver, Ahmad Al Shegawi, was among those celebrating at the finish, after taking his Nissan Patrol to victory in the T2 production cars category with French co-driver Laurent Lichtleuchter. They were joined on the finish ramp by Prince Khaled Al Faisal, President of the Motor Federation of Saudi Arabia.

The UAE’s defending champion, Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi, fourth overnight, failed to reach the finish, retiring with French co-driver Xavier Panseri 21-km into the stage when his Peugeot Abu Dhabi Racing Team 3008 DKR developed mechanical problems.

There were no problems for Husqvarna rider Quintanilla, who like Prokop captured his first Desert Challenge title, finishing fifth fastest on the day but winning overall by 5 mins 11 secs from defending champion, Dubai-based Sam Sunderland on a KTM.

Argentinian Kevin Benavides finished third on a Honda another 3 mins 23 secs away. Dakar Rally champion Matthias Walkner from Austria won the Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage to take fourth place overall on a KTM while Honda riders Paulo Goncalves of Portugal, the 2014 winner, and American Ricky Brabec completed the top six.

Spain’s Jose-Luis Pena Campo and Rafel Tornabell in a Polaris captured the buggies title while Dutchman Kees Koolen on his Barren Racer was crowned quads champion.

Provisional results

Cars

1. Martin Prokop / David Pabiska (CZE / CZE) / Ford F-150 Evo 17:06:57.9

2. Jakub Przygonski / Tom Colsoul (POL / BEL) / Mini John Cooper 17:20:28.1

3. Vladimir Vasilyev / K.Zhiltsov (RUS / RUS) / Mini Cooper Countryman 17:53:27.5

4. Cyril Despres / Steve Ravussin (FRA / CHE) Buggy Ford 2WD 18:38:36.5

5. Stephan Schott / Paulo Fiuza (DEU / POR) / Mini John Cooper 20:24:16.7

6. Khalid Al Feraihi / Osama Alsanad (SAU / SAU) / Nissan Patrol Pick Up 21:02:46.5

7. Jose-Luis Pena Campo / Rafel Tornabell (ESP / ESP) / Polaris RZR 1000 22:11:03.4

8. Christopher Rosenberger / Nicola Bleicher (AUT / DEU) / Mini All4 Racing 22:22:46.2

9. Vincent Gonzalez / Stephane Duple (CHE / FRA) / Polaris RZR 1000 23:09:47.2

10. Patrice Garrouste / Loic Minaudier (FRA / FRA) / Polaris RZR 1000 23:12:21.5