n, the UAE Desert challenge was renamed the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in 2009. It was conceived by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the 14-time Middle East Rally Champion, who is still involved in the challenge as the Organizing Chairman, President of the ACUTAE and FIA Vice President for Sport.
One of the most prestigious cross-country rallies in the world, this championship began as the last round in the FIA Cross Country Rally World cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship. Now, it is the opening round of the racing season and is expected to fortify Abu Dhabi as a destination of distinction and a major hub for sporting events in coming years. Originally, the Challenge was a combination of battle stages across the Emirates in multiple classes: motorbike, quad-bike, trucks and four-wheelers. It has since expanded the majority of its route further into the desert.
In order to compete, auto racers must hold a valid FIA International Cross-Country Rally license. They are also required to contact their local ASNs. Motorcyclists must also hold the international license as well as secure the minimum amount of insurance required by the FIM and have an echocardiogram.
The first section of the challenge consists of general documentation completion and the scrutinizing of the competitors, along with an overall press conference, usually on a Friday or Saturday. Then, that Sunday will be the Super Special Stage, the initial qualifying race that decides the starting order for the official challenge. The race itself is five days long, one leg completed each day, as competitors race off-road through the Liwa Desert and the Moreeb area of the Empty Quarter.
Within all of the details of this challenge, the one thing that seems to be the most important is safety. That is why Abu Dhabi Aviation has a major role in the competition: to perform search and rescue. Last year, the SAR team consisted of four helicopters and ten trauma doctors. These participants almost have the most important job – it is extremely necessary to have adequate safety precautions as the desert is vast and dangerous, and when you add a motor, things could become deadly. Everyone wants to make sure that they have a great time but safety first!
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