Desert Challenge takes World Cup trail to new safety levels in Empty Quarter

An innovative tracking system will create an unprecedented level of security for more than 130 prototype cars, modified four-wheel drive vehicles, bikes and trucks as they take on some of the most dramatic and remote desert terrain in the Middle East.

While similar devices have been used on selected vehicles in previous events, it will be the first time that an advanced tracking system, allowing rally officials to trace every move of the entire field and launch an immediate response to all emergencies, has provided total cover in a World Championship cross country rally.

This latest breakthrough for the Desert Challenge was announced at an official press conference today by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, chairman of the organising committee for the event, which doubles up as the penultimate round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship.

Taking place from October 11-15, the event is held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence of the UAE.

Sulayem was joined at the press conference by senior representatives of Philip Morris, who have provided Marlboro-brand sponsorship of the event since it was launched in 1991, and the current co-sponsors.

The co-sponsors are Nissan, official vehicle supplier to the organisers, Nakheel, the Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Emarat, ADNOC, Messina Line, Oasis Water, Inmarsat, providers of satellite communications, Konica copiers, website designers ANLONITS, Benq, Samsung, What's On, 7 Days, as well as Dubai International Marine Club and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, the co-hosts for the event and the official Rally HQ.

"We have had consistent support from our major sponsors ever since the Desert Challenge began, and the partnership we have formed has been vital to the growth of the event," said Sulayem.

"We're grateful for the additional backing we receive from all our co-sponsors as we look to continue with the development of the rally, and the introduction of a new advanced tracking system bringing extra security for competitors is a vital part of that."

Iritrack, the latest innovation to be introduced for the Desert Challenge, is a complete onboard system for tracking and safety by satellite with world coverage, and will be fitted on every car, bike and truck taking part. Linked to a satellite communications network operated by France Telecom, it works in the most remote areas on earth.

In cross country rallying, competitors plot their course across deserts and some of the most desolate terrain using GPS equipment which guides them between set positions along the route. Until now, World Championship cross country rally organisers have fitted vehicles with "beacon" devices which have to be set off by drivers or riders if they lose direction, or get injured. Rescue teams homing in on the signal then fly or drive to their aid. But the system breaks down in the event of an injured competitor being unable to turn on the device, and search teams can spend hours locating them.

"The Iritrack system means we can follow the progress of every competitor every inch of the way, and our rally control team can see if someone is getting lost or running into any trouble, and use a direct voice link to talk to them," said Sulayem.

"There are also built-in systems which automatically alerts us if someone gets into trouble and needs assistance, allowing us to dispatch a rescue team immediately, and not wait for a beacon to be set off. The saving in time and rescue resource is very significant and can be crucial to the positive outcome of an emergency situation."

The huge international entry of drivers and riders from 42 countries makes the Desert Challenge the most international sporting event in the Middle East.

The event starts officially from the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi at 9.30am on Monday, October 11, before heading for the Rub Al Khali, or Empty Quarter, the remote desert region where most of the main action will take place over five days. On the previous afternoon, however, spectators can take a ringside seat at Jebel Ali Racecourse in Dubai, and lap up some exciting World Championship action during the Prologue stage.

Spectators can also check out the powerful assembly of cars, bikes and trucks during the day-long scrutineering of vehicles at the event's official HQ, Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, on Saturday October 9. The public are also invited to welcome the survivors to the finish at DIMC at 4.30pm on Friday, October 15. The more adventurous can visit the bivouac, the rally's base for four nights beside the famous Moreeb Hill, 20 kms south from the heart of the Liwa Oasis.