Emirates Desert Championship winners in spotlight at prize giving dinner

Sulayem acclaims role of marshals in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 25-year success story

Dubai, UAE, 2 May 2015:  Trophy winners from the 2014-15 season of the Emirates Desert Championship were honoured during the official prize giving dinner Thursday night at the Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai.

Trophies were presented by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and the Emirates Motorsport Federation, the championship organisers.

Prize winners included Emiratis Ahmad Al Maqoodi and Humaid Al Mashghouni, the new cars and quads champions in the national baja rally series, and bikes winner Jake Shipton.

Fourth place in the sixth and final round of the series ensured Al Maqoodi took the cars title from his friend and fellow Polaris buggy driver Al Fahim after a great battle between the two Emirati drivers throughout the six-round championship.

The prize giving dinner coincided with the official marshals party for the 25^th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, recognising the crucial role played by volunteers during the event, a round of both the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes

“The Desert Championship has become very popular over the first two seasons, and we're looking forward to making sure that it goes from strength to strength in the years ahead,” said Sulayem.

“It's now a well established series in its own right, and at the same time provides a great training ground for the Desert Challenge, which has become a big international success over 25 years.

“Marshals have played a vital part in that, and we're so grateful for the time and commitment of all our volunteers, without whom the event simply could not take place.”