The only certainties before the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge reaches its conclusion are that victory does not come easy, and this is still the case after the 30th edition’s third leg. The drivers’ title remains in the grasp of Nasser Al Attiyah who completed a hat-trick of fastest stage times with Mathieu Baumel in a … Read more
The 30-year history of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is crammed with moments of high drama and displays of bravery and perseverance, and the latest chapter is quickly becoming a classic in its own right. The rally was certainly not won nor lost on today’s 318km ADNOC Distribution Stage 2, although it ended with the … Read more
Nasser Al Attyiyah made the perfect start today as he launched his pursuit of a third triumph in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, while Botswana’s Ross Branch set the pace in the bikes with a masterful ride through the Al Dhafrah dunes. Partnered by Mathieu Baumel in a Toyota Hilux, Al Attiyah is trying to … Read more
Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the spectacular event he founded 30 years ago, will fit perfectly into the new FIA World Rally-Raid Championship which takes cross country rallying into a new era next year. Taking place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in … Read more
Khalid Al Qassimi, whose victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge four years ago propelled his rallying career in a new direction, says the event can help attract more young Emirati talent into motor sport in the years ahead. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge provided the perfect platform for Al Qassimi’s switch from the World … Read more
Omani rally driver Hamed Al-Wahaibi has completed his testing sessions and carried out a recce of the challenging special stages and is now counting down to the start of this weekend’s Oregon Trail Rally in the north-west of the USA. The 53-year-old and his New Zealand co-driver Tony Sircombe are delighted with the way the … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s top driver Yazeed Al Rajhi and new FIM world bikes champion Matthias Walkner have both set their sights on a maiden victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge when the event marks its 30th anniversary next week. Partnered by British co-driver Michael Orr in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive, Al Rajhi is aiming for … Read more
Omani rally driver Hamed Al-Wahaibi continues his return to international rallying competition by tackling a leading rally in the United States of America. Fresh from taking a well-earned finish on his comeback trail at the recent Cyprus Rally, the 53-year-old now heads for the Oregon Trail in the north-west of the USA on November 5-7. … Read more
Sébastien Loeb, the most successful driver in World Rally Championship history, makes his debut in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge next week. The nine-time World Rally Champion starts the event in partnership with Belgian co-driver Fabian Lurquin at the wheel of a Bahrain Raid Xtreme Prodrive Hunter in the emerging T1+ category. Loeb’s status as … Read more
The battle for the drivers’ title in the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies reaches a critical point in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, with the top four contenders heading for a showdown in the penultimate round of the series. Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah (61pts) leads the championship standings from Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al … Read more