OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE SPELLS OUT IMPORTANCE OF ENGAGING WITH THE FANS AND PUBLIC

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25 February, 2024: Ahead of the 33rd edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, 136 competitors from around the world gathered at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center for the pre-event press conference and briefing.

Standing out amongst the excited contenders, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Yazeed Al Rajhi, Martin Prokop, and Guerlain Chicherit are the only racers to have won past editions of the Desert Challenge. While many will be snapping at their heels for title glory, for some it will be the first time taking on the gruelling and demanding race, which this year covers a vast 2150 kilometres and features 1200 kilometres of special stages.

The action gets underway with a five kilometre Prologue on 26th February around Al Dhannah City, and runs through to 2nd March, as the competitors race through spectacular dunes on a course that includes a second bivouac in Mezaira’a.

The rally, one of the longest-running UAE sporting spectacles, is presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO).

Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, HE Aref Al Awani, commented: “We are very grateful for the constant and continuous support that the Desert Challenge receives from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, alongside the many government bodies and institutions who come together to organise this event. Thanks to the efforts of our partners, we are confident about adding another chapter to the rich history of this highly respected rally.”

Alongside the event’s partners, the EMSO has brought the first leg of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to Al Dhannah City for the second consecutive year. This time a two night bivouac in the centre of the city offers an invitation to the local population to visit and get to know the drivers and riders.

Evolving the Desert Challenge to include Al Dhannah for a second consecutive year, as well as an additional bivouac in Mezaira’a, marks exciting progress for the ADDC. It represents the growing success of plans to bring the racing action closer to fans, especially in the more highly populated areas of the UAE. ADNOC Distribution is pushing ahead with plans to improve Al Dhannah’s services and facilities as part of a long term plan to attract more motorsport fans and tourists to the beautiful and historically-rich region.

HE Khaled Bin Sulayem, President, EMSO, said: “In accordance with the strategy of our government and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to grow engagement with the local population and tourists, we are opening up both bivouacs to visitors so they can engage with the racers and see what exceptional people they are.

“It has long been EMSOs wish to bring the racing closer to the fans, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and ADNOC Distribution for their commitment to once again providing an event of the highest quality”

Another new development, aimed at bringing the racing closer to the public, will see the competitors leave Abu Dhabi from Nation Towers on Monday ahead of a 200 kilometre transfer to Al Dhannah City for the 5 kilometre ADNOC Oasis Prologue. The Prologue may be short, but it decides the ten fastest drivers and riders, allowing them choose their starting positions for the 374 kilometre Ruler’s Representative Court in Al Dhafrah Region Stage 1.

The highly promising 19 year-old Aliyyah Koloc of Buggyra ZM Racing feels she is ready for her first rally in the Ultimate category. Koloc said: “It’s my second time at the Desert Challenge, but my first time in the Ultimate category, and the desert is much more enjoyable when you’re driving a machine like that. Of course, it’s heavier so the way that you approach the dunes is different, but I’m confident that I now have enough experience in the Empty Quarter to be able to get the most from driving there. We made some set-up changes to prepare for this event, so I’m happy with the handling, and I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself about the outcome.”

Juan Cruz Yacopini of the Overdrive Racing team is delighted to be back in Abu Dhabi for a second Desert Challenge. The Argentinian driver commented: “I love to drive in the dunes, and generally this is a very good race for us. Last year we got a good result and we’re hoping to improve on that in 2024. I have a great car, it’s very predictable which gives me a lot of confidence, so I didn’t make any changes from Dakar. Me and my co-pilot Dani Oliveras are getting better every race and we’re looking forward to building on our working relationship even more in the coming days.”

EMSO President Khalid Bin Sulayem, said: “Given the quality of the entrants, I’m looking forward to seeing some ferocious rivalries and great battles in some of the Empty Quarter’s most impressive and unique areas. Year after year we see how the Desert Challenge brings out the best in drivers, both in terms of demanding the maximum of their off-road skills, but also in terms of the generosity of spirit and gestures of kindness between competitors who are just as ready to help each other as they are to compete.”

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative Court in Al Dhafra Region; presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; with the support of this year’s Energy partner ADNOC Distribution; Automotive partner Al-Futtaim Toyota; Abu Dhabi Aviation; Al Ain Water; Governmental support from the Ministry of Defence & UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Police,  Civil Defence, Abu Dhabi Distribution Co, Al Dhafra Region Municipality, and our media partner Abu Dhabi Sports TV.