2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 22 - 27 March

[Desert Dog]

After 18 successful editions, the UAE Desert Challenge, at the invitation of the Abu Dhabi Tourist Authority, is pleased to announce a new title, a new home and a new date.

Over the years of its development, the event has gradually migrated into the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the desert terrain of which is most suited to the demands and enjoyment of this world class event and the event Chairman, Mr Mohammed Ben Sulayem is delighted to accept the invitation of Abu Dhabi to comprehensively host the event in the Capital city and its desert.

Please note the dates for 2009:-

Documentation: Friday 20th March, 2009. Abu Dhabi
Scrutineering: Saturday 21st March, 2009. Abu Dhabi
Super Special Stage: Sunday 22nd March, 2009. Abu Dhabi
Ceremonial Start/Leg 1: Monday 23rd March, 2009. Abu Dhabi
Leg 5 / Finish: Friday 27th March, 2009. Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has an unparalleled enthusiasm for motor sport as illustrated by the support and involvement in the WRC and it looks forward to hosting the final round of the Formula 1 Championship in November.

As the event organisers, we are confident that this new partnership will result in the development of the event to realise its full potential which will be of huge enjoyment and benefit to all concerned.

We thank you for your patience in waiting for this announcement and confirmation of the new dates and we know that you are all aware of the short time leading up to the event.

See you in March!

On top of this, all is not lost as far as Mitsubishi is concerned as they will be participating once again, along with BMW.

With regards to Team Saluki's entry, I have a conference in the middle of the event and have offered the drive to a Kiwi mate of mine, Glen Reid. He used to run a LS2 powered Nissan Patrol until he sold it today. Updates will be posted as usual when the team starts to get underway.

[SPONSOR]

Membership in the largest desert racing community has its advantages - Participate in Forum Discussions - Send and Receive Private Messages - Maintain Public Photo Albums - Access to Groups - User Profile in our Social Network - Increased Access to more Sub Forums - Reduced Online Advertisements Join our community today

[Desert Dog]

The latest press release:

2009 DESERT CHALLENGE SPRINGBOARD FOR ABU DHABI TO BECOME ASIA MOTOR SPORT CAPITAL, SAYS BEN SULAYEM

• Challenging desert route takes shape for ADTA-owned bonanza
• Entries open for Abu Dhabi’s premier off-road motor sport event

ABU DHABI (UAE): Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, can become the motor sport hub of Asia, according to the region’s captain of motor racing, 14-times Middle East rally champion, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

He said that this month’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will begin a new era in Middle East sport, with November’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix inaugural event in the UAE also scheduled in Abu Dhabi at a purpose-built F1 track on Yas Island.

“The emirate of Abu Dhabi has all the ingredients to catapult the UAE further into the world spotlight, specifically where sports and motor sports are concerned.

“Indeed, I believe that Abu Dhabi is well placed to become the motor sport capital of Asia, not just of the Middle East. As an Emirati motor sport professional, I can think of nothing that would make me more proud than to see my capital recognised as a world capital in motor sport.”

Ben Sulayem noted that this year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, taking place from March 20-27, will see the traditional final round of the FIA World Cup and FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship switching to the start of the motor sporting season with the full backing of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as the title sponsor for the first time.

In another first-time move, the event’s rally headquarters will be based at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), where pre-event media formalities will be carried out, in addition to the compulsory official scrutineering and documentation on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, a natural evolution of the 18-year-old UAE Desert Challenge, is open to competitors driving cars and trucks complying with FIA T1, T2 and T4 technical regulations and motorcyclists and quads running under FIM auspices. Event officials have already received numerous enquiries and entries from leading European teams and some of the GCC’s top drivers.

The actual competitive action will get underway with a timed super special stage in the UAE capital on Sunday, March 22. The outcome of the short off-road section, which will be close enough to the city centre to attract thousands of motor sport enthusiasts, will determine the starting order for the event’s all-important first desert leg on Monday, March 23.

The opening leg from Al Dhafrah in Abu Dhabi to a finish deep in the emirate’s remote desert will be preceded by the ceremonial start at the landmark Emirates Palace hotel on Monday morning (March 23).

A non-competitive liaison section will then guide teams to the first overnight halt at Moreeb Hill, near Liwa, where the rally will be based for the subsequent four days. Competitors will be able to take advantage of a superb desert bivouac or camping venue.

Officials are expecting several of the world’s leading teams to descend upon the UAE capital for the event, which the ADTA says will further enable Abu Dhabi to showcase its credentials as a leading tourism destination and venue of distinction for major sporting events.

“This emirate has some of the world’s most stunning desert terrain and event officials have worked tirelessly to utilise this in finalising an ambitious, challenging route for the 2009, five-day motor sport bonanza,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General Tourism Operations, ADTA.

Legs two, three and four on Tuesday, March 24, Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday. March 26, will feature demanding loop stages around Moreeb Hill, across somewhat challenging gatch tracks, winding Bedouin trails and the region’s notorious towering sand dunes.

Ben Sulayem said that each of the stages will be divided by passage controls and route waypoints, as competitors thread their way through the legendary Rub Al-Khali or Empty Quarter, which is one of the world’s most desolate and beautiful regions made famous by British explorer, Wilfred Thesiger, who crossed the desert expanse in the 1940s and 50s.

The fifth and final leg will take place on Friday, March 27, with teams tackling a desert section between Liwa, with the finish of the event in Abu Dhabi. The ceremonial finish will take place at ADIMSC on Friday afternoon.

Under the guidance and chairmanship of Ben Sulayem, who holds the FIA vice presidency for sport, and is President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), as well as chairman of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge organising committee, the event has become popular with regional and international riders and drivers alike.

He said that the switch to basing the entire event in the Abu Dhabi emirate for the first time is sure to bolster its popularity around the world, affording a spotlight on the emirate’s potential as a sporting hub.

The UAE’s premier off-road event was the brainchild of Ben Sulayem in 1991 and has been a round of the FIA World Cup since 1993. The rally has been managed by the ATCUAE since Ben Sulayem took over at the helm several years ago.

“We are delighted to have teamed up with ADTA to run the new-look Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge,” said Ben Sulayem.

“The event has used the deserts of Abu Dhabi emirate for many years, but the start and finish will now also take place in the UAE capital. We are already benefiting from ADTA’s backing and are positioned to offer competitors a more compact and challenging route.

“This exciting move to Abu Dhabi is a natural progression as the event rises in stature and continues to grow,” he concluded.

[crazyeye]

Cool have fun

[Desert Dog]

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

PRIVATE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAMS BID FOR
GLORY IN NEW-LOOK ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE

UAE's Mabbs and Reid look for podium finishes
Family fortunes at stake for Barker Nissan Patrol duo

ABU DHABI (UAE): This month's Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has been the
winning domain of professional European cross-country rally teams for many
years, but this year the private drivers have their best-ever chance of
achieving a podium finish.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President for Sport, President of the
Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and Chairman of the
Organising Committee of the rebranded event said expatiate drivers have
been supporting the Desert Challenge for several seasons.

He said that many are eagerly anticipating the start of this year's event
from the landmark Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, March 22,
instead of the previous November date. It will finish on March 27 at Abu
Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC).

"The Desert Challenge has been the traditional final round of the FIA World
Cup and FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, but with the date
change we will now start the FIA and FIM off-road rallying seasons in the
UAE capital.

"We are seeing extra strong support from local participants," said Ben
Sulayem. He also confirmed that the Middle East's premier event has the
crucial backing of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as title sponsor
for the first time.

UAE-based Briton, David Mabbs, 36, is one of the expat hopefuls looking for
a podium place. Mabbs, a marine engineering project manager, decided to
opt for something different to use on Baja-type rallies in the Middle East.
He achieved some success in a powerful Land Rover, but and last September
sourced a unique Toyota FJ Cruiser on the Internet from the United States.
Mabbs gave it its inaugural run at last November's Desert Challenge, but an
accident over a heavy landing in the dunes hospitalised his then co-driver,
Tim Ansell with a lower back injury.

Mabbs's Toyota was originally built by Donahoe Racing in the United States
at the request of Toyota North America to challenge for honours in the
SCORE Stock Mini Series category. It also finished second in its class at
the Baja 1000.

"I had a problem," admitted Mabbs. "The Land Rover had finally thrown up
its bonnet in surrender and I knew that I needed something else if I was to
continue to be competitive in the sport in the Middle East."

The Toyota's unique design was thoroughly reviewed by the FIA's technical
committee in Paris and the technical review meant that Mabbs was forced to
implement several other changes before the car could be admitted into the
FIA T1 category and be eligible for events like the Desert Challenge.

The engine - which let him down on January's Ha'il Saudi Baja - remains a
near-standard 4.0-litre V6 unit, but the rear end has been fitted with a
unique four-link suspension, equipped with new shock absorbers fitted with
coil-over springs and 'Jounce Shocks'. The front suspension has also been
custom-built for this type of rallying.

"In the desert, suspension is king," admits Mabbs. "No matter how powerful
the engine and how fast the driver, weak suspension will break within hours
and we'd have no chance of competing with the works teams on the Desert
Challenge without attention to detail in this area."

There was still a fair amount of work to be done before the FJ was eligible
for the Desert Challenge. A new bulkhead has been installed between the
cockpit and the rear cabin-mounted fuel tank and new seats have been
fitted, with six-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.

The car runs without a windscreen in situ, but Mabbs prefers the problem of
dust in the cockpit than excessive temperatures that other drivers face on
events like the Desert Challenge. He and his new French co-driver, Xavier
Caminada, are confident they can push for the top five in the car category
this month. Ansell, meanwhile, has fully recovered and is working as Team
FJ's on-event manager.

Team Saluki's Mark Powell, has also been a supporter of the Desert
Challenge for many years with Land Rover-based products, but he finished a
superb second overall in the recent Ha'il Saudi Baja in a Honda-engined
Buggy. He and co-driver, Paul Richards, finished nearly 13 minutes ahead of
the talented Czech driver, Miroslav Zapletal, in Saudi Arabia, but Powell's
place in the nimble Buggy will be taken by Glenn Reid in this year's
Challenge.

"We got the car working perfectly in Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago and that
has given the team tremendous confidence," said Powell.

Ian Barker is a friend and racing rival of Mabbs, Reid and Powell. He and
Sheila Hutton-Barker make up the only husband and wife rally team in the
Desert Challenge. Barker was unable to achieve the result he wanted in
Saudi Arabia earlier this year, but heads to the UAE capital with a rebuilt
Nissan Patrol and one eye on the leader board.

ADTA's Deputy Director General Tourism Operations Ahmed Hussein said he is
thrilled that the event's appeal spans a broad profile of drivers. "We are
fully behind the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for many reasons, not least its
ability to pull in interest from a wide range of driver and spectator
profiles." ADTA has confirmed a three-year deal that gives the emirate the
title sponsorship of the event which will further showcase Abu Dhabi's
potential as a major international events and tourism destination.

According to Ben Sulayem, David, Glenn and Ian have been loyal supporters
of the Desert Challenge for several years.

"They are always enthusiastic about any changes we make to the route and
format of the event and I wish them all the best in their bid for honours
this month," he concluded.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be based at the Abu Dhabi International
Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) for the first time and offers five punishing
days of frenetic motor sport competition through some of the most remote
and scenic areas of Abu Dhabi's Empty Quarter.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2009 has the backing of key players,
including the event's title sponsor, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA),
Nissan, ADNOC, Beach Rotana - Abu Dhabi, etisalat, Explorer, Hertz, Lambda
Electronics, Oasis Water, TAG Heuer, and the Rally HQ host, ADIMSC, where
the event finishes on Friday, March 27.

[Desert Dog]

Team Saluki : Desert Challenge 2009 D-Day -2 - Scrutineering

What I hear you cry - it can't be a year already since we last heard about the exploits of Team Saluki in the Desert Challenge. You'll be glad to know that your memory is indeed correct - it's only been six months since it last ran. The organisers have opted to bring it forward to stop it potentially clashing with a parade race when it comes to Abu Dhabi later on this year, commonly known as F1.

So here we are again - it's almost the end of March and Team Saluki have been feverishly working away with a shortened timescale to get things ready for the 2009 Challenge.

We have completed some major diagnosis, rectification and testing since last years event. The problems we had with the engine last year we believe we've got cracked for this year and our 2nd place result in the Hail Saudi Arabia Baja holds testament to this.

Today we all took the short trip (260Km round trip) from Dubai down to Abu Dhabi where the challenge is starting and finishing this year. The reason for the trip was for the scrutineering which confirms that the vehicle conforms to the FIA regulations and that the drivers are valid to race. You'll be glad to know that we're good to go and ready for the prologue event which takes place tomorrow also in Abu Dhabi.

We've attached a small map to give you an idea of what's happening and where.



This year we have a remapped engine and we also have a new driver. Our existing driver, Mark Powell, has had to take the back seat in a two seater car due to revised work commitments leaving Glen Reid to take the driving seat. Glen has competed in past Desert Challenges and originally comes from New Zealand but we won't hold that against him. Joining Glen up front in his normal seat as co-driver is Paul Richards.


After completing scrutineering the major players of the team pose with the Saluki in a rogues gallery kind of moment. Left to right we have Driver - Glen Reid, Team Principal - Mark Powell and Co-Driver - Paul Richards.


This year we're running with two on-board video cameras and as soon as time permits we'll get edited versions of the footage out to you. We already know that the major TV networks that are covering the event have in the past seen our on-board footage and are keen to receive it again to get the viewers closer to the action so yet again - Team Saluki will be coming to a TV screen near you shortly.

A brief look inside the Saluki from Paul's side of the Saluki. Two video capture devices, trip counters, satellite navigation and a host of other buttons to look after as well as advising Glen on where to go - no time for slacking here.



This year the "Team" compromises of a small but dedicated group looking after the interests of the Saluki.

In alphabetical order we have :

Craig McAteer - Media Chief
Girish Kumar - Mechanic
James Thomas - Team Manager
Laurie Bridger - Webmaster
Lee Ashley - General Service
Mark Adams - Engine Management
Martin Double - General Service
Rick Galman - Chief Mechanic


We'll get another update out to you tomorrow after the prologue with our status.

Regards
Team Saluki

[Desert Dog]

Preliminary timings: Team Saluki completed the 2 km prologue in 4th position. Full update coming soon.

[Desert Dog]

Team Saluki - DC2009 D-DAY -1 The Prologue

The dog's out of the kennel and shows it is interested in going for a long walk in the dunes.

Today was the prologue, held on a piece of very rough waste land in Abu Dhabi as shown on the map yesterday. The track was tight and twisty and in places ran alongside the seawall leaving little room for mistakes unless you consider a side on impact with five feet of concrete made by one of our support sponsors - MBMix, at high speed nothing to worry about.

Starting the prologue in position eleven, the dog stretched it's legs and completed the stage with the Saluki finishing in a commendable 4th place with a time, 15 seconds behind the leader, Guerlain Chicherit in his BMW.



For Glen's first drive in anger at the wheels of the Saluki the team thought he did a cracking job on the slippery course where others found difficulty coping with the dusty and rock strewn surface.



At the end of the prologue one of the tyres was showing a drop in tyre pressure so that's been replaced and the suspect tyre taken away this evening for repair leaving the Castrol EDGE buggy at the Abu Dhabi Marine Club overnight ready for it's big walk in the desert tomorrow morning.

You can follow our progress in real-time by following this link and changing the dropdown box to read ETAPE 1 Abu Dhabi to Moreeb for tomorrows racing. We start at 9:30 (UAE Time) for the ceremonial start at the Emirates Palace hotel where the Saluki will leave to begin the race in the middle of nowhere heading for the Empty Quarter.

Follow our live progress while the race is on:

http://tracking.iritrack.com/e%2Dvie...challenge2009/

Stage Timing and results for previous stages:

http://tracking.iritrack.com/DUB09/p...=pos&vehicle=2




Dog handlers, Glen and Paul, pleased with their progress at the prologue.

Ooops we did a round table yesterday evening to make sure that we had captured everyone who was part of the "Team" - and forgot a last minute stand-in who is assisting our team. We apologise and didn't mean to exclude you.

Dave Lowe - update distribution chief.


James, Martin and Lee have headed off early to establish Base Camp Saluki at Moreeb Hill ensuring that our beds, tents and living environment is ready for the rest of the teams arrival. We've had the on-site weather report from the camp and coming from someone who lives in Dubai and is acclimatised to the heat it's officially "Hot hot hot!"

Regards
Team Saluki

[Desert Dog]

Press Release:

CHICHERIT, PRZYGONSKI AND AL SHAMSI LEAD ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE AFTER SUPER SPECIAL STAGE

His Excellency, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon present to see 69 vehicles compete for lead start

Gaugain fasted in 450cc bike class

ABU DHABI (UAE) Sunday March 22 2009: Professional X-raid driver Guerlain Chicherit, Poland’s Jakub Przygonski and the UAE’s Mohammed Al Shamsi were the early leaders of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2009, after the opening two-kilometre super special stage was flagged off by His Excellency, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) in Abu Dhabi (on Sunday March 22 2009).

The trio will lead the car, motorcycle and quad categories into the first 270.60km desert special stage between Al Dhafra and the finish, on the road to Liwa, near the Humeem road in Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter (Monday March 23 2009).

Several hundred spectators joined Sheikh Sultan near the Rally HQ, Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club including the event's Chairman, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President of Sport and the President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE). They saw 24 cars, 33 bikes, 11 quads and one truck into the short opening section to determine the starting order for the all-important first selective section.

Also present was Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General Tourism Operations at ADTA. ADTA is the title sponsor of this year’s event and Hussein said that the Desert Challenge is set to further bolster Abu Dhabi's reputation as Asia's capital for international motor sport.

In the motorcycle category, Przygonski finished the stage just over two seconds ahead of South African rider, Sean Gaugain, with Italy’s Fabio Benetti in third position on his Kawasaki. Tactics fast came into play among the leading runners, with pre-event favourites, James West, Marc Coma and Cyril Despres, finishing the special near the rear of the field in 32nd, 42nd and 43rd places.

Chicherit and Swedish co-driver, Tina Thorner in their German-built BMW X3 CC were more than 11 seconds faster than the UAE’s Ali Al Shawi and Ahmad Malik in the car category. Maurizio Tragia and Fabian Lurquin set the third fastest time and will shadow the leading two teams into the opening stage.

Gaugain was the fastest of the 450cc motorcycles and the UAE’s Mohammed Al-Shamsi headed the quad section on his Honda TRX. The Emirati was also faster than any of his two-wheel rivals.

X-raid Russia driver Leonid Novitskiy withdrew through illness before event documentation and Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah was a second non-starter from the original car entry list.

Sixty-nine competitive machines completed the super special stage and will be flagged away from the official start at the landmark Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi (from 09.30am Monday March 23), before heading into the first of five punishing desert sections across the emirate’s Empty Quarter.

The 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has the backing of key players, including the event's title sponsor, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), Nissan, ADNOC, Beach Rotana - Abu Dhabi, etisalat, Explorer, Hertz, Lambda Electronics, Oasis Water, TAG Heuer and the ADIMSC.

Leading positions after Super Special stage (2km): unofficial

Cars
1. Guerlain Chicherit (F)/Tina Thörner (S) BMW X3 CC 2m 11.55s
2. Ali Al Shawi (UAE)/Ahmad Malik ((UAE) Nissan Patrol 2m 23.41s
3. Maurizio Traglia (I)/Fabian Lurquin (F) Nissan Pathfinder 2m 24.51s
4. Glenn Reid (UAE)/Paul Richards (UAE) Honda Buggy 2m 26.91s
5. Nabil Al Shamsi (UAE)/Arif Yousef (UAE) Nissan Patrol 2m 28.91s
6. Matar Al Mansouri (UAE)/Rabab Al Tajir (UAE) Nissan Patrol 2m 29.66s
7. Abdul Bari Bin Soughat (UAE)/Ali Mirza (UAE) Nissan Patrol 2m 29.72s

Bikes - overall
1. Jakub Przygonski (PL) KTM 690 R 2m 11.44s
2. Sean Gaugain (ZA) Honda CRF 450X 2m 14.10s
3. Fabio Benetti (I) Kawasaki KLX 450 2m 15.22s
4. Paulo Ceci (I) Aprilia RXV Africa 2m 16.35s
5. Simon Pavey (AUS) Honda CRF 450 2m 17.08s
6. Mark Ackerman (ZA) KTM 450 R 2m 18.59s

Quads
1. Mohammed Al Shamsi (UAE) Honda TRX 2m 05.87s
2. Obaid Echtibi (UAE) Honda TRX 2m 10.30s
3. Razvan Iremescu (RO) Yamaha Raptor 2m 10.90s
4. Rafal Sonik (PL) Honda TRX 700 2m 12.56s

[Desert Dog]

Video of the Team Saluki buggy at the prologue.

[Desert Dog]

Team Saluki - DC2009 D-Day

Today's the official start of the Desert Challenge so it's up and out early and wheels are rolling at 5:30am. Rick, Girish and Mark are in the Duellie (the Saluki support truck), Craig and Glen take the Honda Pilot and we pick up Laurie en-route to Abu Dhabi. We arrive on-time in Abu Dhabi and take our places for the ceremonial start which takes place at the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel.

Upon leaving the start the Castrol EDGE buggy heads out through rush hour traffic in Abu Dhabi and along with everyone else in the race becomes victim to a jack-knifed truck which has blocked three of the four lanes on the E11 highway slowing progress out of the city to a crawl. The end result was the the Saluki was two minutes late for the official start (along with many other competitors) but it was duly noted in the log and the race began in earnest.

A good day in the dunes was how Paul described it with one small niggling problem - the Saluki suffered a bit of a limp. About 80 Km from the finish the Saluki lost 3rd gear. This meant that for the last section of the race the guys were racing changing between 2nd and 4th gear. Glen commented that the downside to this is that when running in 2nd gear there's not enough airflow to keep cool in the car. Perhaps we should tell them that they are here to race, not to stay cool- If we're not careful the guys will be asking for ice-cream makers to be installed. Regardless of their need for cooling they did successfully manage to complete todays stage and given the current position (at time of writing) places them in 5th place.

In an attempt to bring you some more action shots Laurie and Craig headed into the dunes to get away from the madding crowd and to seek out some good locations. In the mid-day Sun Laurie managed to get himself stuck - he calls it parked but he was definitely stuck and required the assistance of tyre pressures being reduced as well as some muscle power from Craig. What did Craig get in thanks - a head and ear full of sand thanks to the spinning wheels. You be the judge - does Laurie look parked or stuck ?

We have all turned up at the camp, expertly arranged by James, Lee and Martin. We will get an overview shot of the camp so you've got a better understanding of the location.

The Saluki is currently going over a checkup and investigation into the failure of the 3rd gear in readiness for tomorrows race which sees the Saluki heading westward.

Regards
Team Saluki