Friday the 28th of October was a great day for motorsport in the UAE, as it witnessed the resurgence of the UAE National Rally Championship, organized by the Emirates Motor Sport Federation (EMSF). The opening round of the championship, being held for the first time since 2008, was attended by Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla, President of the EMSF.
The event, which was limited to four by four vehicles only due to the rough terrain being unsuitable for saloon cars, featured drivers and co-drivers from seven different countries. Fifteen vehicles started the event, with nine making it to the finish post.
The overall winner was Brit Mark Powell, co-driven by Gary Wheeler, who finished the route in a total time of one hour and twenty two minutes, an impressive eight minutes ahead of the second place team of Ali Hassan and Ali Dadi in their Nissan Patrol. Another all British team of David Mabbs and Andrew Robinson finished in a close third a further two minutes back.
All competitors spoke of the great job that had been done by the EMSF, with the assistance of the ATCUAE, in successfully resurrecting the long standing championship. The next round of the championship will be over the National Day weekend and run alongside the 2011 Dubai International Rally, the final round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
