The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is a rally raid race held in the emirate of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates since 1991. The race is points scoring for the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship. Originally for cars only, motorcycles are allowed since 1995 and trucks since 2002.
The event was founded by former rally driver Mohammed bin Sulayem as the UAE Desert Challenge, since it spanned several emirates of the country. Since 2009, the route only includes stages in Abu Dhabi, and the title changed to the current one.
Contents |
| Year | Driver | Codriver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | M. Mattar | H.A. Bin Shahdoor | Land Rover Defender |
| 1992 | M. Mattar | H.A. Bin Shahdoor | Land Rover Defender |
| 1993 | S. Al Hajri | H. Magne | Land Rover Defender |
| 1994 | Jean-Louis Schlesser | - | Schlesser |
| 1995 | Jean-Louis Schlesser | - | Schlesser |
| 1996 | Bruno Saby | D. Serieys | Mitsubishi Pajero |
| 1997 | Ari Vatanen | F. Gallagher | Citroën Rally Raid |
| 1998 | J.P. Fontenay | G. Picard | Mitsubishi Pajero |
| 1999 | Jean-Louis Schlesser | H. Magne | Schlesser Renault |
| 2000 | Jean-Louis Schlesser | A. Lurquin | Schlesser Renault |
| 2001 | Jean-Louis Schlesser | H. Magne | Schlesser Mégane |
| 2002 | Stéphane Peterhansel | J.P. Cottret | Mitsubishi Pajero |
| 2003 | Stéphane Peterhansel | J.P. Cottret | Mitsubishi Pajero |
| 2004 | Hiroshi Masuoka | Andreas Schulz | Mitsubishi Pajero |
| 2005 | Stéphane Peterhansel | J.P. Cottret | Mitsubishi Evo |
| 2006 | Luc Alphand | Gilles Picard | Mitsubishi Evo |
| 2007 | Stéphane Peterhansel | J.P. Cottret | Mitsubishi Evo |
| 2008 | Nasser Al-Attiyah | Tina Thorner | BMW X3 |
| 2009 | Guerlain Chicherit | Tina Thorner | BMW X3 |
| Year | Rider | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | H. Kinigadner | KTM LC4 |
| 1996 | Stéphane Peterhansel | Yamaha M3 |
| 1997 | Stéphane Peterhansel | Yamaha M3 |
| 1998 | H. Kinigadner | KTM LC4 660 |
| 1999 | Fabrizio Meoni | KTM 660 |
| 2000 | J. Lewis | BMW 900 RR |
| 2001 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 |
| 2002 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 |
| 2003 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 |
| 2004 | Isidre Esteve | KTM 660 |
| 2005 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 |
| 2006 | Marc Coma | KTM 660 |
| 2007 | Marc Coma | KTM 660 |
| 2008 | Cyril Despres | KTM 690 |
| 2009 | Marc Coma | KTM 690 |