2012 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 30 Mar - 6 Apr

[Desert Dog]

What with the Dakar threads in this section, this may get lost, but I'll put this thread up in any case!


Entries Open for 2012 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will return for its 22nd running in 2012, and will once again be held across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from 30th March to 6th April. The world famous event will allow competitors to explore some of the wonders of the Western Region of Al Gharbia, and will go deep into the Liwa desert. But exploration is not the only thing that awaits competitors during this event; after all, it’s not called a ‘Challenge’ for nothing, and the event is guaranteed to push all participants to the limit.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE). The ATCUAE has now opened registration to competitors driving cars and trucks complying with FIA T1, T2, T3 and T4 technical regulations, and motorcyclists and quads running under the auspices of the FIM.

The 2012 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be the opening round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, and Round 2 of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.

In the primary categories, last year’s car class was won by Desert Challenge legend Stephane Peterhansel, a multiple winner of the event on both two and four wheels, and the motorcycle class was won by Spaniard Marc Coma. Both competitors are currently leading their respective categories in the 2012 Dakar Rally, and will be hoping to gain a strong result as preparation for a defence of their Desert Challenge titles. Alongside them last year, a field of over 170 competitors from 34 different countries battled to cover the 1500km of the route to reach the finish line in Abu Dhabi. The 2011 edition of the event also set a new milestone by being broadcasted on some of the world’s leading sports channels, to 121million homes, in 59 different countries, and across 20 different languages.

While most of the worlds most experienced top cross country rally drivers and riders are used to struggling with our desert, this year’s rally will test men and machines even harder by introducing competitors to the most spectacular, and toughest, dunes in the world. The high temperatures experienced by the UAE in April will also add an extra challenge to the 2012 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, contributing to making this event a very technical and demanding rally.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, ATCUAE President and founder of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, said: “The Desert Challenge is an iconic event in the UAE and both officials and competitors will be delighted to go back to Liwa to challenge and experience our beautiful desert once again. I’d like to express my gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for always encouraging and supporting myself and the ATCUAE to present an outstanding and top class event every year. Over this new edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge we’ll deliver a more exciting, and challenging competition than ever before.”

For further information on how to register for the event, please visit www.abudhabidesertchallenge.ae

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[randy s]

in my view, robby gordon should be doing these things. there are big reasons why peterhansel and them are good at this kind of racing. there's no question in my mind that if gordon dedicated himself to rally raid foor two years to the extent that these guys do, he'd be dominating rallys and peterhansel would be wondering WTF happened. very interesting looking event. would a score tagged vehicle have any problems going through tech?

[Yumaoffroad]

in my view, robby gordon should be doing these things. there are big reasons why peterhansel and them are good at this kind of racing. there's no question in my mind that if gordon dedicated himself to rally raid foor two years to the extent that these guys do, he'd be dominating rallys and peterhansel would be wondering WTF happened. very interesting looking event. would a score tagged vehicle have any problems going through tech?

nascar bro.....

[Desert Dog]

Would a score tagged vehicle have any problems going through tech?

My vehicle is score tagged and now has a FIA passport, so the answer is yes, with a quick submission to the FIA in France, you can run a SCORE tagged car.

The works teams tend to do most of the races in the Championship and this is where they hone their skills as well. I was talking to the Josh Hall about them bringing their car over for last years event, but they didn't make it. This event is 95% sand!

[randy s]

My vehicle is score tagged and now has a FIA passport, so the answer is yes, with a quick submission to the FIA in France, you can run a SCORE tagged car.

The works teams tend to do most of the races in the Championship and this is where they hone their skills as well. I was talking to the Josh Hall about them bringing their car over for last years event, but they didn't make it. This event is 95% sand!

i would hope so. when i went to watch the first few stages of the dakar in lisbon, i had a chance to check out a few of the cars that were independents from all over the planet and the build standards weren't up to what we have here in score or any other sanctioning body in most cases. and i know rg is locked in in nascar, but that's his problem in my opinion. if he were to focus all his resources on rally raid and desert racing, he would be a handful for the rest of the competitors to deal with. he obviously is anyway , but with more work it, could get scary. thanks for the info mark.

[Suhaib Kiani]

Thanks for the heads up! I will try and see if I can be there! I know one of the teams, Bin Saughats who race Nissan Patrols. Hopefully can join in as the media guy if not anything else

[Desert Dog]

i would hope so. when i went to watch the first few stages of the dakar in lisbon, i had a chance to check out a few of the cars that were independents from all over the planet and the build standards weren't up to what we have here in score or any other sanctioning body in most cases. and i know rg is locked in in nascar, but that's his problem in my opinion. if he were to focus all his resources on rally raid and desert racing, he would be a handful for the rest of the competitors to deal with. he obviously is anyway , but with more work it, could get scary. thanks for the info mark.

I have had one of the main FIA scrutineers visit my shop when we were in the middle of re-powering our car. As far as he was concerned, the chassis was approved in France and so that was fine, but did point out that the V bars where the windscreen would be prevents a quick escape. Now I'm not going to get into a bunfight about this - my car has a valid passport so I'm happy with that!

[bufeo]

It would be great if some U.S.A. off-road team (teams?) were to get fully engaged in this series, and I agree with randy s that the more experience in this kind of competition, the better the chances at the Dakar. From my cheap seat in the grandstands I don't know that I agree that RG is the answer, but he certainly has the tenacity and drive.

Although I was a huge fan of Phil Hill, when Gurney took his Eagles onto the F1 circuits in the mid-60s, there was no question that this was a big moment for U.S. fans.

Allen R

[Desert Dog]

Hi Souhaib, the Bin Sougats don't race anymore although I do see them around.

We also have the Hail Rally in Saudi (18, 19 20 March) and the Qatar Cross Country Rally (15 - 21 April).

[Suhaib Kiani]

Hi Souhaib, the Bin Sougats don't race anymore although I do see them around.

Oh really! I thought they raced last year with their black Patrol, though rolled it over and sold it subsequently so not sure what they're upto this year. Can't imagine them being out of it for too long Anyhow lets hope I can catch the Abu Dhabi event as I have been meaning to do so for sometime!