March 17, 2015 – Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Abu Dhabi Racing Chairman, has announced his participation in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC) for the first time. The event is taking place from March 26th to April 2nd and is one of the most prestigious rounds of the international cross-country rallies. Supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Sheikh Khalid will be taking part in the rally in Toyota Hilux prepared by Overdrive with the expert Portuguese co-driver Jose Manuel Teixeira Marques.
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Rally, the Middle East’s first World Cup and World Championship motor sport event, celebrates its silver jubilee (25 year anniversary) this year. The challenging 6-day event, taking place on the exciting slopes of Liwa desert in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, has attracted participants from around the world.
Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal Al Qassimi said: “I am very excited to be making my debut in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, I particularly like participating in international races hosted in Abu Dhabi. This will be an exciting new challenge for me personally, I am looking to gain more experience in this type of racing and see whether I will be participating in future desert rallies. The challenges of this event are two fold, I will have to compete with the regular participants as well as get used to the car and the pace notes.
We are delighted to have the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, they have been instrumental in helping us compete in this event and that shows that both of us as Abu Dhabi Racing and Abu Dhabi Sports Council are walking on the same path of promoting the motorsport in Abu Dhabi.”
HE Aref Hamad Al Awani, Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary, said: “We are keen to provide support and assistance to the Abu Dhabi Racing team and Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi as they participate in this international event for the first time.” He added: “There is no doubt that motorsports enjoy huge popularity and importance in the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is working hard to promote and develop the sport in our beloved capital. We wish Abu Dhabi Racing every success in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.”
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge kicks off on Saturday 28th of March with a Super Special Stage on Yas Marina Circuit where the rally headquarters are, then the Abu Dhabi Racing team heads east to the Liwa desert with the rest of teams to compete over 5 days in special stages that were 1300KM length last year, the closing ceremony will take place on April 2nd on Yas Marina Circuit as well.