MEDIA INFORMATION
2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
March 24-29, 2018
For immediate release
Saturday, March 24th, 2018
QATAR’S ADEL ABDULLA EDGES INTO SLENDER T2 LEAD
AFTER SHORT ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE OPENER
YAS MARINA (UAE): Qatar’s Adel Abdulla held a tiny advantage of just 1.1 seconds in the T2 standings after the short tarmac super special stage at Yas Marina that kick-started the action in the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Saturday afternoon.
Driving a Nissan Safari Y61 that he rented at the 11th hour, the Qatari carded a time of 1min 28.6sec and that gave him and navigator Nasser Al-Kuwari the narrowest of leads over Saudi Arabian rival Ahmed Shegawi. The Russian driver Yuliya Khegay-Migunova was a mere 1.9 seconds behind in third position.
Adel Abdulla is running his T2 programme with the crucial support of the Qatar government, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Ooredoo Qatar.
The real meat of the off-road action starts on Sunday with a 276km selective section that starts to the south of Abu Dhabi and winds a sandy trail across remote gatch tracks and the first series of sand dunes before reaching the first of four overnight halts at a purpose-built bivouac, near Qasr Al-Sarab.
2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – T2 positions after SSS:
1. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol 1min 28.6sec
2. Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 1min 29.7sec
3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS)/Aldis Vilcans (LVA) Toyota LC 200 1min 30.5sec
4. Laurentiu-Claudiu Barbu (ROU)/Paul-Nicusor Spirodon (ROU) Nissan Navara 1min 34.0sec
Ends
For further information: www.abudhabidesertchallenge.com