ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia's Yazeed Al-Rajhi will try to become the fourth Arab driver to find victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan when the event marks its 25th anniversary this month. The classic desert rally has attracted one of the most powerful international competitor line-ups in its history, including three reigning world champions, Russian driver Vladimir Vasilyev, brilliant Spanish rider Mark Coma and Polish quads star Rafal Sonic.
They head an entry list of 162 competitors from 36 countries announced by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the Desert Challenge organizers.
Vasilyev, who scored victory in Abu Dhabi last year on his way to winning the FIA World Cup for cross country rallies, returns to defend his title alongside co-driver Konstantin Zhilstov in one of eight X-Raid-entered minis.
They are among 50 car crews going into action here, which gets underway with an afternoon super special spectator stage at Yas Marina Circuit March 28.
Among those aiming to beat Vasilyev to the cars title is Al-Rajhi who must hold serious hopes of a big result in the UAE after his superb Dakar Rally debut in January when he held third place before retiring two stages from the end. He suffered an early exit in the UAE last year.
Among the favorites is Qatar's 2008 Desert Challenge winner Nasser Al-Attiyah, who scored his second Dakar success in January and has since notched successive Middle East Rally Championship wins on home territory and in Kuwait. The UAE's Mohammed Mattar and Qatari Saeed Al-Hajri are the only other Arab drivers to have found success in the event.
Coma, who secured the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for a sixth time last year and in January scored his fifth Dakar Rally triumph, will be looking to take his KTM to an eighth Desert Challenge success.
Sonik will be aiming to complete back-to-back Desert Challenge victories to launch his bid for a second successive FIM world quads crown. The biggest threat to the Pole could be posed by the rider he succeeded as Desert Challenge champion last year, Qatar's Mohammed Abu Issa.
“We're delighted to have a total of 162 drivers, co-drivers, bike and quad riders from around the world for the 25th edition of the Desert Challenge, and the overall quality of entries underlines the status the event enjoys,” said ATCUAE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the rally founder.
“So many of these competitors return to the UAE year after year, and there is a great spirit between all of them, with world champions and local private entrants sharing the stage, and supporting and encouraging each other. I'm proud that the rally has developed in this way.”
Nissan Patrol is the official vehicle of the event for the 12th year. While the super special stage Saturday will be a big draw for spectators, the main action takes place over five spectacular desert stages that follow, cutting through the intimidating dunes and sabkha plains of the Western Region of Al-Garbia. — SG
