Team Saluki Out To Steer Honda-Powered Buggy To Podium Finish In This Month’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Terrain more suitable for blue-blooded drivers, says Powell

• Mark Powell to partner with Paul Richards for Team Saluki
• Castrol renews its faith in Team Saluki, fresh from second place in Saudi Baja

Team Saluki’s Mark Powell predicts favourable results for local drivers in this month’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
UAE-based, Powell suggests that the local terrain will again beat down international vehicle entries, leaving the podium for local teams.

In last year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, four out of the top five placements in the cars category was filled by local-based teams, with BMW’s Guerlain Chicherit and Tina Thorner taking the lead in the cars category.

“Without question, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is the ultimate test of skill and endurance. In my mind, the towering dunes of the Al Gharbia region in the west of Abu Dhabi are more suited to the talent of local and regional drivers.”

Powell has a seasoned insight into the conditions that face entries, having been based in the UAE since 1982 and a competitor of the Desert Challenge since 1994. He has competed in Land Rover and Honda vehicles.

This year, he is eyeing a podium finish in his Castrol EDGE-sponsored 3.5 litre V6 Honda-engined Buggy, highly motivated from a second-place win at the 2009 Ha’il Saudi Baja.

“I have been involved in the Desert Challenge since 1994, first starting off with marshalling duties until we took the step to participate in 1997 in a Land Rover 110.”

Paul Richards, Powell’s co-driver and fellow Briton, is also based in the UAE knows the Liwa region very well. In 2009, Richards was co-driver to another local-based driver, fellow Briton Glenn Reid.

Reid and Powell did well in the Buggy, but not well enough to notch a place in the top five. Their best position was in Leg three when they came in third behind Emirati team, Ahmed Bin Soughat and Wael Marjan in a Nissan Patrol, but ahead of Yayha Al Helai, who with his co-driver Khalid Al Kendi finished the Challenge in second place, also in a Nissan Patrol.

“Desert landscape can be quite deceptive, especially the tracks that wind through the towering sand dunes. Navigating skills for the desert rally refines with age and experience. Even a minuscule lack of concentration can lead to a serious error of judgement, and perhaps the end of the race.”

He said that navigating through the Empty Quarter is a wonderful mix of thrill and excitement.

“The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge takes participants through one of the most scenic areas of Middle East.”

Other local expatriate teams in this year’s event include Desert Challenge stalwarts, Briton David Mabbs, with French co-driver Xavier Caminada in Team FJ’s Toyota Land cruiser and husband and wife duo Ian and Sheila Barker in a Nissan Patrol.

The six-day competitive section of the cross-country motor sport spectacular, organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), will run from March 27-April 1, 2010. Once again the event will be the season-opening round of both the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has the full backing of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

The event has traditionally attracted a host of partners, and in 2010 these include Nissan, Adnoc and Explorer publishing.

Entries are invited for the opening round of both the FIM and FIA championships and further details, including event technical regulations, are available from ATC UAE officials, PO Box 5078, Dubai, UAE, Tel: + 971 4 2961122, Fax: + 971 4 2961133, E-mail: info@atcuae.ae or Tanya@atcuae.ae, Website: www.abudhabidesertchallenge.ae .
 

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