ABU DHABI // When it comes to celebrating history, who needs fireworks when you can have a Formula One circuit?
The organisers of the 25th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will start on Saturday with a historic super special spectator stage at Yas Marina Circuit, marking the first time an FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup event has been held at an active F1 venue.
“There are four anniversaries because not only does this week’s race mark 25 years of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, 20 years of bikes and 10 years of quads, we are also celebrating the 50th year of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE,” Mohammed ben Sulayem, the race founder and president of the club, said yesterday. “We don’t put on the fireworks, but we feel it, sustain it and love it.”
Yas Marina, host of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will provide a grandstand setting when, starting at 3pm on Saturday, it offers fans a chance to see the 112 regional and international drivers race against the clock across a challenging, custom-designed 2-kilometre course.
The likes of reigning Desert Challenge champion Vladimir Vasilyev will compete alongside this year's Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al Attiyah and FIM world champions Marc Coma and Rafal Sonik before the field take their cars, bikes, buggies and quads 200 kilometres west of the city towards the Empty Quarter to tackle some of the most challenging terrain in the world.
“Last year, we participated in the whole World Cup and my opinion is Abu Dhabi is the most difficult and most interesting race of the year,” Vasilyev said. “There are a lot of great drivers and great teams, so it will be challenging for everybody.”
Al Attiyah is expected to provide Vasilyev his greatest challenge. Fresh from winning the Dakar in January, the Qatari has enjoyed a flawless start to the season in the Middle East Rally Championship and is here for one reason.
“We are here to win,” he said. “The Desert Challenge is a great race to compete in because most of the terrain is sand dunes, so our goal is to win the race and collect maximum points.”
In the bikes category, Dubai-based KTM rider Sam Sunderland has been training alongside seven-time Dakar winner Coma this month. After coming close in his previous two races in the western region, the Briton hopes to win this time.
“I’ve come close the last two years in a row, but always something crazy has happened taking me away from the victory,” said Sunderland, who won a stage of the Dakar this year before being forced to retire.
“I am fortunate to have a great team around me, including Marc with his experience and lucky that it’s held in the country I live in. There are lots of top guys here from other teams, but I’m looking forward to a good event.”
Coma said: “Last year, victory was not far and, year after year, we come back re-motivated. The feeling until now is good, so we hope for a successful week.”
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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