The UAE flag flew high in the intimidating vast expanse of the Rub Al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, yesterday, with veteran Yahya Al Helei taking a one minute and 54sec lead over defending champion Vladimir Vasilyev in the cars category on the opening leg of the of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
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Vasilyev is also the reigning FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies Champion. And the icing on the cake was completed when Abu Dhabi Racing driver Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux, went into the overnight halt classified in fifth on his cross country debut in the event’s 25th anniversary.
Al Helei, who has previously contested the Desert Challenge 23 times in a car and once on a bike, was unquestionably the star of the day, despite a nervous last section over the 262km opening stage after he encountered issues with the gearbox of his Nissan Pick-up.
Al Qassimi takes 5th place after leg1 @AD_DsrtChallnG http://t.co/goKoqDqlkd @khalidbinfaisal @AbuDhabiSC #ADDC25 pic.twitter.com/y0UJZTPWHz
— AbuDhabiRacing (@AbuDhabiRacing1) March 29, 2015
The Emirati veteran said: “I spent Dh1 million to turn my car from T2 (specification) to T1 because I want to win this rally. “The other drivers have factory cars, but I wanted to show that the most important thing is how strong the driver is, not the car.
“I had a good day, but for the last 80kms when I had transmission problems, sometimes losing the fourth and third gears. Tomorrow I hope for another good day.”
“It was a great performance from Yahya, who has shown again what an accomplished driver he is,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the rally organisers.
“It’s good to see an Emirati driver performing so well on this world stage, and it was also encouraging as well to see Sheikh Khalid driving so confidently on his first attempt at the Desert Challenge.”
Sheikh Khalid, who appears to have made a smooth transition from conventional rallying to cross country endurance, said he had enjoyed the day, and but for losing nearly six minutes after getting stuck in the sand his position might have been dramatically different.
Some great pictures of us taken by @XraidTeam from day 1 of AbuDhabi desert challenge. @AD_DsrtChallnG @MINIUK pic.twitter.com/MRHkf8p4eW
— Iwan Evans (@Iwanevans1973) March 29, 2015
He said: “We were unlucky today, but overall I am encouraged by the experience. Apart from getting stuck, our pace was very competitive and my experience in both the MERC and WRC has been very helpful particularly when it comes to the performance of the car.
“Each leg is different and requires its own strategy so for now I am just focusing on tomorrow’s leg – we will take it day by day.”
Brazilian Reinaldo Varela, behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux, finished the leg in third, with Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar classified fourth.
In the battle of the bikes, reigning FIM world champion Marc Coma of Spain once again looked in complete control, taking a lead of 1.21secs from KTM team-mate, the Dubai-based British rider Sam Sunderland.
Coma was in commanding form on his KTM, and with defending champion Paulo Goncalves of Portugal more than four minutes further adrift in third, the Spaniard said: “The first day has been tricky. I am happy and in a good position.”
Sunderland, who had been uncomfortable with his sixth place starting position on the day, said: “I gave it my all to gain ground and catch up with the bikers in front. It was difficult but I pushed myself really hard to get there.”
Goncalves, who produced a brilliant final leg surge to win the bikes crown last year, said: “Today has been hard as I began fast so I could chase the leaders. I then lost time when I stopped to help a competitor. Tomorrow is another day and I need to remain focused.”
Portugal’s Ruben Faria, American Ricky Brabec and Austrian Matthias Walkner completed the top six, while top UAE rider Mohammad Al Balooshi again looked comfortable in the presence of the world’s top riders, setting the seventh fastest time.
Balooshi said: “I started the stage in third and stayed there almost until the first service. I then stalled and Marc Coma passed me. It’s day one of four more long days. Anything can happen and it’s important to be smart and take it day by day.”
