The Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) has formed a new strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) to promote and develop the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, which celebrates its 25th anniversary later this month.

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The agreement was signed yesterday by ATCUAE president and Desert Challenge founder Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit.

Sulayem said: “We’re very happy to have formed a new strategic partnership with ADMM which reinforces our working relationship for the Desert Challenge and builds on the partnership we have enjoyed since 2009 in our role as sporting organisers of the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“The Desert Challenge is well established as the world’s leading international cross country rally, and ADMM is now putting its resources and promotional expertise behind the event as part of the strategic plan we have in place for its continued development over the next year.”

Al Ameri added: “We’ve witnessed the Desert Challenge set the highest standards in cross country rallying and, over the years, do a great deal to promote a positive image of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE as a whole, among the global sporting and broader community.”

“We are very happy to now take on a more active role in supporting Mohammed and his team, and are fully committed to ensuring that the event reaches a new level.”

One of the immediate results of the agreement is that the super special spectator stage will be run over part of the Grand Prix circuit at Yas Marina Circuit on March 28.

The new agreement underlines the crucial support provided  by Abu Dhabi to ensure the Desert Challenge continues to set the pace in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes.

This year the event’s strategic partners once again include Abu Dhabi Municipality, the UAE Army, Abu Dhabi Police, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Aviation, Al Ain Water, Abu Dhabi Waste Management, Rotana and Centro Hotels – Yas Island and Qasr Al Sarab Resort.