As the drivers gear up for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, now 31 years in the making, there is a feeling of anxiety in the air.
Following on from January’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, this event is a crucial leg of the 2022 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, which sees contestants battle it out on the world’s toughest dirt routes in Kazakhstan, Spain, and Morocco.
The catch in Abu Dhabi: the route for each stage of the race is only revealed on the morning before the race commences.
Ricky Brabec, the 2020 Dakar Rally champion, made light of the situation before the race. “I'm guessing we are going to have a hefty serving of sand,” he said.
From March 4-10, drivers will compete in one of the toughest cross-country rally events on the planet. The Al Dhafra dunes will provide the dramatic backdrop to stories of success and of catastrophic failure.
On the competition listings, 50 motorbike and quad riders, 38 rally drivers, and a handful of trucks are set to race on the dunes. That is before the inevitable dropouts, breakdowns, and drivers who don’t make it to the finish line.
“It feels great to be out here in Abu Dhabi competing again,” Brabec said. “My bike is as good as it’s going to get for this event.”
Other riders seemed less confident and on scrutineering day. When the vehicles are checked over to ensure they meet the race’s technical regulations, there were several nervous-looking faces.
Plenty of preparation goes into a race like this, especially off the back of the Dakar where riders learn a lot about themselves and their vehicles.
“We have been here for seven days already and have done a lot of training. Now it’s time to go to work and give it our best until the end of the rally”, Brabec said.
The event organisers were sure to point out that this year's competition will be fierce in the motorcycle category.
“While 14 of the world’s leading factory team stars are in a powerful line-up of 50 riders, only Sam Sunderland, Toby Price, Pablo Quintanilla, and defending champion Matthias Walkner have stood on the victory podium in Abu Dhabi,” they said.
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
