Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge - 25 Mar to 1 Apr 2010

[Desert Dog]

This might be some way off still, but I will update this with the press releases and info as and when it becomes available, in the hope that we shall see some of our brethren across the pond come and play in our sand pit!

WARNING: Competing in the Desert Challenge is addictive!

Link: http://www.atcuae.ae/en/sporting/desert_challenge.html

The rally celebrates 20 editions in 2010. Run every year since its “birth” in 1991, the rally has grown to become a firm favourite with the cross country fraternity and is the only event that has maintained its Cross Country FIA Cup & FIM Championship status without missing a single year.

The event will be based, once again, in Abu Dhabi, following the very successful change of base location for the 2009 edition.

Entry fees remain as 2009 and are very reasonable and extremely good value. The only cost that the competitor incurs above the entry fee, is accommodation before and after the event, transport of vehicle to Abu Dhabi and air travel for the overseas competitor. The fees are now available on the website, see link above.

Once the rally has started, all accommodation, food and fuel costs are covered by the entry fee and, of course, the traditional and legendary, post event Gala Dinner, for the Stars, under the stars!

The fixed location of the Bivouac at the base of the awesome Tal Morib (Hill of Horror) lends itself to very simple assistance/service arrangements for the private entries and factory teams alike, and with all assistance points accessible by good asphalt roads, 4WD assistance vehicles are not required.

The format of the event is designed to be user friendly, with the first leg starting on “easy” desert and gradually increasing in difficulty to act as a refresher to the experienced and as an introduction for the first timer. The remaining legs are full, open desert with all the varieties of terrain that make the event what it is, a real challenge to man and machine. The fixed Bivouac, means that the competitor can miss a leg, due to physical or mechanical problems, and not get left behind. Of course, there is a penalty for this, but importantly for the amateur, you are not out of the rally.

The rally could not happen without the Medical, the Search & Rescue and the “legendary” Desert Challenge Sweep Teams which combine resources and technology to ensure as safe an event as it is possible to conduct. In cooperation with the TDCOMM staff, and utilising the Iritrack Satellite monitoring technology, which incidentally was pioneered, since 2003, by the Desert Challenge, these teams respond to incidents to assist the injured and exhausted competitor and assist in retrieving those who suffer problems during a leg, in an effort to keep them running.

Our long suffering and hard working marshals are currently undergoing training for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, so be warned, they will be extra sharp and attentive, but I am sure they will appreciate getting back to the Challenge where the competitors are mostly old friends!

The event is also very family and fan friendly, with easy access to the route, the desert and the bivouac which could be by the very reasonable local taxis, if necessary!
The event has been invited to base itself at a new facility which is still under construction but which will service every need of the organisation and the competitor, in a single location, while providing a variety of “amusing” facilities to entertain those with time to spare!

Those who are on Facebook may care to join the Group “Desert Challenge”

Over twenty years, the Challenge has built a loyal, friendly and enthusiastic following. Don’t consider entering unless you are prepared to come back to the UAE again, and again, because it is addictive. You have been warned!!

We had Michael Jackson (yes, THAT one) at the Gala Dinner handing out prizes in 2005. He didn't give me anything though...

[Torchmate]

Is there a class for 4WD trucks, or do you have to run a car?

[LIMITLESS]

Hey desert dog,
At the end of this month (nov. 21st- 30th) i am moving to al-ali (i think that the name) about an hour outside of dubai. Were opening a new offroad shop to build high-end custom offroad buggies and sand cars!!! We will also have a full parts department and can service and repair all offroad vehicles and UTV's. Im really excited about the move and looking forward watching this offroad rally race!! come by and check out the shop once opened and spread the word.

thanx and hope to hear back,
robbie

[Desert Dog]

Torchmate.. the majority that race are 4WD anyway. There are only a handful of 2WD.

Limitless, you'll be heading to Al Ain then? Fantastic dunes out there, although I can see you heading for the bright lights of Dubai every now and again!

[Torchmate]

We have a bunch of customers in UAE. I am sending someone to Dubai in a few weeks to help a customer with some training. That got me thinking about trying to do some racing in your neck of the woods. We ship big stuff over all the time, so shipping a truck shouldn't be that big of a deal. It would give me a good excuse to come over and visit some folks. I am used to North American desert though and my navigator loves his GPS. Worried that we might come over and look foolish. The terrain looks fantastic.

[Desert Dog]

Shipping a truck is very simple and www.atcuae.ae can help with all the necessary import formalities for the event itself. You will need to get dispensation to race your truck in this event as I suspect that the majority of safety items will not be FIA homologated. The first step is to contact the ATC and ask the question. We did have a Trophy Truck enter a number of years back and was incredibly fast, but never made is past Day 1.

This event is 80 - 90% sand, but with a few basic pointers, you really shouldn't have any issues... so your reputation could remain intact! There are tricky areas but once you have mastered the technique, this race is superb. The central bivouac is amazing and the cameraderie during the event is next to none.