Sulayem confirms sponsorship agreement with leading property developer

"We're delighted to have the backing of Nakheel who want to work closely with us to build the Desert Challenge into a bigger and better event," said Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE and chairman of the event's organising committee.

"We have plans to develop the event in a number of areas, to make it more attractive to the big manufacturers, other foreign teams, competitors from around the Middle East, and of course the public, and Nakheel's support allows us to go ahead."

Nakheel is the premier property developer behind a variety of new landmark developments in Dubai such as The Palm, The World, Jumeirah Islands, The Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, and Dubai Waterfront. This week, Nakheel launched the first three phases of sales of its latest project Jumeirah Park, which sold out within 24 hours. Later in the year the handover of the first residents will commence on the world's newest landmark, The Palm Jumeirah, just five years after the first grain of sand was laid.

Nakheel's vision is bold; a powerful combination of action and aspiration as it aims to redefine the concept of property development whether residential, tourist, commercial or retail. "We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the Desert Challenge and to support an event which has attracted such global recognition for the UAE", announced Chris O'Donnell, CEO of Nakheel. "Each year the Desert Challenge draws in new international competitors and builds up greater exposure for the UAE and we are very happy to support and be part of this event which represents a strong cultural element of our nation".

This year's Desert Challenge is also sponsored by Nissan Middle East, with the Nissan Patrol the rally's official car. Dubai will stage the event's traditional curtain-raiser, the super special stage, on 5th November before the action switches to Abu Dhabi for the official start the following morning.