The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge promises a new, challenging route through the Abu Dhabi desert, according to Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President of Sport, President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and Chairman of the Organising Committee.
He said that this year's event covers 2,000 kilometres and opens with an entry of 29 cars, 34 bikes, 11 quads and two trucks.
Interest in the opening round of both the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup and FIM Cross-Country World Championship has been bolstered by the exciting tie-in with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). The Middle East’s premier off-road motor sport event is seen by many as a perfect opportunity for Abu Dhabi to showcase its goal of becoming a world-leading venue for motor sport.
ADTA's Deputy Director General Tourism Operations, Ahmed Hussein said: "Competitors are set to cross some of the most spectacular terrain in Abu Dhabi over the next few days.
"The emirate offers quite diverse landscape and we are delighted that the world's media and international motor sport competitors will be able to see areas of Abu Dhabi that are rarely seen."
The competitive action for the 2009 Desert Challenge will get underway from 4pm on Sunday (March 22) with a two-kilometre super special stage in Abu Dhabi, in the vicinity of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club.
Sylayem explained that this spectator stage is crucial to the starting order for drivers and riders heading into the first desert stage on Monday morning. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2009 ceremonial start is from the landmark Emirates Palace hotel at 09.30am (Monday March 23).
The Rotana opening leg features two passage controls at the 101km and 169km points and runs for 270.60km across the high-speed sand flats that have become synonymous with the first stage of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge between Al Dafra and the finish en route to Liwa.
