F1: Top drivers for desert challenge – Gulf Digital News

F1: Top drivers for desert challenge – Gulf Digital News

A powerful line-up of the world’s top drivers and riders will gather in the UAE capital for the second round of the new World Rally-Raid Championship.

The Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO) has announced a list of 132 competitors for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, which starts from Yas Marina Circuit on March 6.

Nasser Al Attiyah, early leader in the race to become the first World Rally-Raid champion, is the top seed in a Toyota Hilux as the UAE rally becomes one of five elite events making up the series.

Among his biggest rivals in the 38-car assembly is Sebastien Loeb, winner of a record nine World Rally Championship titles, who makes his Desert Challenge debut in the Prodrive Hunter which he took to second place behind the Qatari in the opening Dakar Rally.

Stephane Peterhansel chases a record seventh cars victory at the wheel of an Audi RS Q e-tron in the 31st edition of the rally, which promises an action-packed five days of desert rally raid competition among the dunes of the Al Dhafra Region.

“We’re excited to be welcoming the World Rally-Raid Championship to the UAE for the first time,” said EMSO’s newly-elected President Khalid Bin Sulayem.

Other leading contenders include Saudi