Sulayem salutes the “driving force” behind UAE Desert Challenge

H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received a fresh tribute today for establishing the UAE as a major player in the international sporting arena in the countdown to another top event.
 
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, organisers of next week’s UAE Desert Challenge, said Sheikh Mohammed’s vision and drive has been a key factor in the country’s emergency as a major player in the world sporting arena.
 
“His Highness has been the real driving force behind the Desert Challenge as patron for the event for the last 17 years,” said Sulayem. “Without his generous support the event would not have got off the ground in the first place.
 
“When I first mentioned to Sheikh Mohammed that we were planning to launch the event in 1991 he was very enthusiastic about the idea and give his full backing. He has been behind us ever since, as he has been with so many other events which have made the UAE one of the most exciting sporting venues in the world.”
 
The 14-time FIA Middle East rally champion added: “I owe Sheikh Mohammed a great deal for the way he supported and encouraged me throughout my rallying career, and the UAE benefits tremendously from the contributions he continues to make to sport.”
 
It was in April last year, with Sheikh Mohammed’s patronage, that motor sport in the Emirates was brought under the overall control of a new-look Emirates Automobile and Touring Club.
 
The EATC is the official representative in the UAE of both the FIA, motor sport’s world governing body, and its motor cycling equivalent, the FIM.
 
On their behalf it overseas all motor sport activities in the UAE and also provides a growing range of services for motoring tourists. It is the only FIA authorised organisation in the UAE to issue International Driving Permits, as well as Carnet de Passage en Douane, or Trip Tickets, which simplify customs formalities for motoring tourists.
 
Immediately after the Desert Challenge (www.uaedesertchallenge.com) the EATC will move into permanent new headquarters on a 30,000 sq ft plot in Dubai’s Al Mumzar area which was allocated by Sheikh Mohammed.
 
Beginning at 4pm on Sunday with a super special spectator stage in Dubai, the 17th UAE Desert Challenge is sponsored by Nakheel, Dubai’s premier property developer, and Nissan Middle East.
 
With the Nissan Patrol the official car for a fourth year, the event is also sponsored by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADNOC, Emarat, Hertz UAE, Oasis, Inmarsat, Dubai International Marine Club and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, the official hotel.
 
With 177 riders and drivers from 33 countries assembling in the UAE, the event is set to provide a spectacular grand finale to the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup (cars and trucks) and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship (motor bikes).
 
Over the next few days the rally’s official base, Dubai International Marine Club, will be  a hive of activity as competitors, team officials and support crew, along with a powerful line-up of cars, trucks and bikes, arrive from around the world by air, land and sea.
 
WHERE TO WATCH THE UAE DESERT CHALLENGE
 
 
While fervent rally followers will relish a journey to Moreeb Hill, the rally’s desert base near Liwa, the general public can also catch up with this spectacular event and sample the atmosphere much closer to home, as follows:
 
Saturday 9am-5pm: Scrutineering of all cars, trucks and bikes at Dubai International Marine Club.
 
Sunday 4pm: Super Special Spectator Stage near the Burj Al Arab, at the Junction of. Al Wasl Rd / Umm Sequeim, opposite Dubai Police College.
 
Monday 9.30am: Official Rally Start from the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
 
Friday week (2nd November) Official Rally Finish at Dubai International Marine Club.