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Nice article in local press.
Desert Challenge countdown
The countdown to the 2008 UAE Desert Challenge has begun, with just over a month to go until one of the region’s biggest motoring events.
Local motoring legend Mohammed Ben Sulayem kicked off the preparations for the race by saying it had created a blueprint for world-class sporting occasions in the Emirates.
The 14-time Middle East Rally champion introduced the Desert Challenge in 1991 and said it was a perfect example of how the government and private sector can work together to create a sporting success.
“Over the years we’ve developed a formula for success with the Desert Challenge which can be applied to many other sports events,” said Sulayem, who is president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE).
The challenge takes place late in October and is the final round of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup for cars and trucks.
“We’ve built up a very close working partnership with many government authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with our private sector sponsors, and with many other suppliers and volunteers who all play their part in making sure the event runs smoothly,” Sulayem said.
“At the same time, we’ve used the Desert Challenge as an effective vehicle to promote the UAE, which has to be a priority when you’re staging an event with strong backing from the government authorities. We rely on their support, and we have a duty to give something back.”
The challenge will be based at the Mina Seyahi hotel, home of the Dubai International Marine Club. The route will take competitors out into the desert in the Empty Quarter. Starting with a spectator-orientated Super Stage in Dubai on 26 October, the rally then gets underway the following morning from the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi.
The rally then heads out to the Moreeb Hill near the Liwa oasis for four more days of action before the event finishes at Mina Seyahi on 31 October.
http://www.carmiddleeast.com/article-1- ... _countdown
