six of the best
Patrol leads the way in Nissan’s Desert Challenge domination
Six Nissan Patrols completed the gruelling 2,210-km UAE Desert Challenge, underlining the brand’s long-held reputation as the king of all-terrain performers.
Emirati driver Abdulbari Bin Sougat took on the cream of the world’s professional teams and drivers to finish in 12th position behind the wheel of a standard Patrol. Two other Nissan Patrols, driven by New Zealander Glen Reid and German rally star Andrea Mayer, also finished in the top 20.
Three more Patrols, entered by the UAE’s Ali Al Shawi, Michael Ziegler and Russian Artem Naslednikov, also went the distance. Nissan had more than double the number of finishers compared with any other manufacturer, with Frenchmen Rodolphe Lavoise with Laurent and Joseph Rosso also completing the event in a trio of Nissan Pathfinders.
“For all six Nissan Patrols to complete course over some of the most demanding desert terrain in the world is the best possible testimony,” said Abdul Ilah Wazni, SUV Brand Manager at Nissan Middle East.
“For Abdulbari to finish so high up the field in a standard Patrol, without sponsorship or a professional back-up team, is really outstanding. Having twice as many Nissans as any other make completing the course just goes to show how rugged and reliable Nissan vehicles are.
Nissan has the largest SUV line-up in the Middle East and the Patrol is not only our standard-bearer at the Desert Challenge, it also carries the flag for Nissan’s entire commitment to off-road activities in the Middle East region and our successful involvement in rallying throughout the world”, added Wazni.
Bin Sougat, who is head of marketing in the Dubai Land Department, almost missed the 17th UAE Desert Challenge when his modified engine developed problems on the eve of the rally. He managed to get a standard engine fitted just in time to make the start and his local knowledge of desert driving conditions combined with the reliability of his Nissan Patrol saw him leave a trail of more experienced drivers behind.
Patrol has been in this region for more than 50 years and still dominates the market in desert off-road vehicles, whether measured by popularity or reliability. Now, Nissan and the Patrols have their sights set on next year’s Desert Challenge. The Patrol has been the official vehicle for the event over many years and over the next few months a fleet of Nissan Patrols will be used to carve out the 2008 route across the Empty Quarter.
“Our partnership with the UAE Desert Challenge therefore comes as a natural marriage between performance, confidence, and competitive spirit,” concluded Wazni.
