The Emirates Desert Champion­ship breaks new ground this week­end when the national Baja series extends into Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) for the first time with the full backing of Crown Prince Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mua’lla.

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Taking place under the patronage of Sheikh Rashid, the fourth round of the 2014/15 championship runs in the Falaj Al Moalla area on Friday morning, with over 100 drivers and riders expected as the six-round championship continues to go from strength to strength.

The Emirates Desert Champion­ship is organised by the ATCUAE and the Emirates Motor Sport Fed­eration, with TAG Heuer Middle East as the official timekeeper and founding partner.

Launched in October 2013 to safeguard the future of rallying on a national basis, the champion­ship has met the growing demand from the country’s motor sport fraternity for a new series of highly competitive events run in a natural environment, with an emphasis on safety.

With categories for cross coun­try cars, buggies, motorcycles and quads, it is a natural feeder series for the Abu Dhabi Desert Chal­lenge, a round of the FIA Cross Country Rally Championship.

Entries have climbed past three figures for each of the three rounds so far this season, hitting a record 135 for Round 2 last October.