DUBAI – Sabertooth Motoring Adventure's T1 Nissan Navara placed an impressive eighth in the Dubai international Baja that concluded Sunday in the Al Qudra desert near Dubai. The Navara, built by Nissan's South Africa-based marketing partner Red-Lined Motoring Adventure, was driven by Thomas Bell and Patrick McMurren.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja powered by Nissan and AW Rostamani saw 34 cars and buggies and 39 bikes and quads set off from the rally base at Dubai Autodrome.
The event is supported by the Government of Dubai, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the General Authority of Sports, Dubai Customs, Al Ain Water and Emarat petrol.
Competitors headed out from Dubai Autodrome into the Al Qudra desert on Friday morning to tackle the 201.6lkm AW Rostamani Arabian Automobiles special stage. On Saturday morning, competitors tackled the 204.93km Nissan stage before the event returned to the Autodrome at with the ceremonial finish.
"Besides taking a tire off a rim on day two where we lost some time changing the wheel, we had a really good clean run where our T1 Nissan Navara never missed a beat," said Bell. "We now look forward to taking our current form into the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in a couple of weeks time."
The new Dubai International Baja powered by AW Rostamani and Nissan forms the second round of this year's FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and buggies and the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads.
On March 1, AW Rostamani and Nissan Middle East provided a major boost for the race by signing a sponsorship agreement with the rally organizers, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE.
As a result of the new agreement, the Nissan Patrol became the official car for the series. During the Dubai International Baja, Nissan provided a fleet of Nissan Patrols for use by the organizers as well as by FIA and FIM officials.
"The Dubai International Baja is an exciting new addition to the UAE's motorsport calendar and presents us with a wonderful new opportunity to showcase the qualities of the Nissan Patrol," said Samir Cherfan, managing director for Nissan in the Middle East. "We are proud to be joining hands with our business partner in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to support an event which allows local competitors to share an international stage with the best from around the world."
Next up in the FIA World Cup series for Bell, McMurren and the Red-Lined Motoring Adventure Nissan Navara is the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from April 1 to 7.
Contact
Karen Van Wyk
Red-Lined Motoring Adventure Marketing
karen@redlined.co.za
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