Ibn Battuta Mall under starter's orders for the UAE Desert Challenge
A 2km twisting race circuit has been specially created at Ibn Battuta Mall after it was chosen to host qualifying for the UAE Desert Challenge (November 9). Spectators will also get the chance to see close-up the cars, bikes and trucks that will be taking part in the rally when live checks are made to the vehicles in a viewing area at the mall's China Court (November 8).
The rally, which follows the tracks of the legendary Arab traveller from which the mall takes its name, starts at the centre of Dubai civilisation and heads for five days into the Rhub al Khali - the "Empty Quarter". Here, the terrain varies from the bare rock mountains of the North and East to the spectacular sand desert that runs south into Saudi Arabia.
The event begins on November 8 when scrutineering takes place from 9am 5pm at the mall. This is the checking of all cars, bikes and trucks by official Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) appointed scrutineers to ensure that they comply with regulations.
The vehicles will report to Ibn Battuta Mall's loading bay where they will be weighed before going into the mall's China Court to be checked for safety, technical, and sporting conformity. Visitors to Ibn Battuta Mall will get the chance to see each vehicle that will be participating in the UAE Desert Challenge first-hand in the special viewing area as a rally car arrives every 10 minutes and a bike every 5 minutes throughout the day.
On the following day the vehicles will return to Ibn Battuta Mall for the Prologue - a special stage organised for the benefit of spectators in which each vehicle will take part in a time trial around the 2km twisting circuit which has been specially built for the occasion at the North end of the mall, adjacent to Sheik Zayed Road.
The Prologue begins at 4pm and serves as a qualifying stage to establish the running order for the rally. Stands are currently being erected by the organisers so that spectators can see the bikes, rally cars and trucks race one-by-one against the clock at one minute intervals.
Marvin Shaire, Chief Operating Officer of Retail Corp, Nakheel, said: "It really is a prestigious honour for Ibn Battuta Mall to host the qualifying event for this unique and exhilarating rally. Visitors to the mall will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the roar of engines and witness some of the world's finest drivers as they race against the clock before they head off into the desert for one of the most gruelling tests of endurance in motorsport.
«It is perhaps fitting that these fearless racers will be following in the tracks of the legendary Arab traveller himself.»
The UAE Desert Challenge event was conceived by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, whose motorsport career goes back to the early '80s. Mohammed, who has a record 14 FIA titles to his name, is the driving force behind the event and is uniquely qualified in his role having considerable experience as a competitor and an organiser together with unparalleled knowledge of the desert, local customs and protocol.
