Desert Challenge

The 27th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the region’s first World Championship level motorsport event, took place at the start of April, and there was great cause for celebration amongst the UAE and GCC competitors taking part as they outclassed their international rivals.

- Stuart Murray

Founded in 1991, the first and second years of the rally were won by Emirati Mohammed Mattar in a Landrover Defender, but since that opening victory, French drivers have won the event an astounding fifteen times, Russia and Qatar have three victories apiece, while Spain, Japan and even snowy Finland each have a win to be proud of. However, the Abu Dhabi Racing crew of Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi and his co-driver Khalid Al Kendi have put an end to that 25 year streak by taking victory for the UAE in 2017 in their Peugeot 3008 DKR.

While the Emiratis put in a fast and careful performance, their victory came as a surprise as Qatari rally legend Nasser Al Attiyah held an almost 15 minute lead going into the final stage of the five day competition. However, a high speed crash with approximately 100km still to go saw the two-time Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge winner cartwheel his Toyota Hilux three times at speeds in excess of 150kph. Thankfully, both Al Attiyah and his co-driver Frenchman Mathieu Baumel were unhurt, but had to retire due to the damage sustained to the car.