The Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), organisers of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, today announced a partnership with Thuraya, a leading satellite communications company offering services to more than 140 countries across the world.
Thuraya will be providing a number of its XT mobile satellite handsets and Thuraya IP terminals to facilitate communications and reduce response times in case of emergencies during the rally.
The Abu Dhabi Challenge, which is being held under the Patronage of His Highness Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative for Al Gharbia Region, and organised by the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), has run every year since 1991, making 2010 the 20th edition.
On the eve of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, round one of the FIA Cross-Country Rallies World Cup and FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, which takes place from March 27 to April 1, FIA Vice President and President of the ATCUAE Mr. Mohammed ben Sulayem said: “The five stages of the Challenge will feature demanding loop stages around Moreeb Hill, across somewhat challenging gatch tracks, winding desert trails and the region’s notorious towering sand dunes located in the Rub Al Khali, The Empty Quarter.
“Each stage has been divided by passage controls and route waypoints that are manned by experienced marshals and support crew who have always responded to emergencies in exemplary fashion in the past relying on the traditional radio communication system.
“This year, in a bold move, we have decided to forego the traditional radio system and instead adopt Thuraya’s advanced satellite telecommunications technology to enhance the quality and reliability of communications which is vital to a successful event, and will also sharply reduce the response time in case of emergency,” Sulayem added.
"Thuraya is proud to support the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, an event which is of both regional and international stature,” said Thuraya’s Chief Executive Yousuf Al Sayed.
"Thuraya’s advanced satellite services positively impact lives around the world, by simplifying communications both in urban centres and remote terrains through its cost-effective network. Our unique voice and data solutions provide a secure and reliable service, ideal for harsh environments such as the Abu Dhabi desert,” Al Sayed said.
“Our Partnership with the ATCUAE for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge further affirms Thuraya’s commitment to ease communications in areas not traditionally covered by terrestrial networks, both in the region and around the world,” Al Sayed concluded.
Abu Dhabi based Thuraya Telecommunications Company, established in 1997, is a mobile satellite service provider of voice, data, maritime, rural telephony, fleet management and other telecommunication solutions. Thuraya’s congestion-free network now covers two-thirds of the globe, encompassing Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.
The five-day competitive section of the cross-country motor sport spectacular, organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) with the full backing of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, opens in Abu Dhabi on March 27.
The desert section runs from March 28-April 1, 2010 and is open to competitors driving cars and trucks complying with FIA T1, T2 and T4 technical regulations and motorcyclists and quads running under the auspices of the FIM.
Once again the event will be the season-opening round of both the FIA Cross Country Rallies World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has traditionally attracted a host of partners, and in 2010 these include Nissan, ADNOC, Al Ain Water, Crowne Plaza Yas Island, Explorer, FedEx, Tag Heuer and Thuraya.
Further details, including event technical regulations, are available from ATC UAE officials, PO Box 5078, Dubai, UAE, Tel: + 971 4 2961122, Fax: + 971 4 2961133, E-mail: info@atcuae.ae or Tanya@atcuae.ae, Website: www.abudhabidesertchallenge.ae.
