ED Racing's Essa Al-Dossari aims to avene Dubai disappointment at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 20.03.2018: ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE March 23-28, 2018 ED Racing’s Essa Al-Dossari is aiming for success at next week’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE
March 23-28, 2018




ED Racing’s Essa Al-Dossari is aiming for success at next week’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC), the third round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, after an accident cost him his lead at the second round of the series in Dubai two weeks ago.
 


The ADDC starts with a short super special stage on Saturday (March 24) and finishes on Thursday (March 29) after five gruelling desert stages through the towering sand dunes of Abu Dhabi’s Rub Al-Khali.
 


The Saudi Arabian driver crashed his South African-built Nissan Navara out of the lead in the Al-Qudra Desert and that has left him even more determined to shine against a formidable line-up of rivals in the first of the longer cross-country rounds of the series. Emirati Ali Hassan Obaid will co-drive for the ED Racing Team driver.
 


Al-Dossari said: “For our participation in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, we have brought over the South African team that has prepared and tuned the car. They have had time to repair it after Dubai and we will be ready, God willing, to overcome the incident at the Dubai International Baja.
 


“I know the entry list includes many of the leading drivers in the world and manufacturers’ cars with a lot of experience of the Liwa Desert, but we will do our very best. I am still hoping to end the rally on the podium.”
 


Technical inspections and administration checks take place at Yas Marina on Thursday and Friday, prior to the opening super special stage on Saturday afternoon.

 - Neil Perkins - also photos