Bahrain's Yasmin Al Hilli began her challenge for success in the UAE Marlboro Desert Challenge on Tuesday evening, when she tackled a two-kilometre Prologue stage, adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dubai.

The event is the final round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies. Batelco-sponsored Yasmin, 22, is tackling the gruelling four-day race in a Mitsubishi Pajero entered in the T1 category for near-standard vehicles.

She took her place on the start line in front of a massive crowd of onlookers and under the spotlight of the world's media.

The event is being shown all across the Middle East and there are visiting television crews from France, Norway, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Tatarstan, Germany, Latvia and Thailand.

The competitive action at the Prologue was coupled with a live musical performance by the Lebanese pop band, the 4 Cats, and a stunt ride by the Ulster rider Robert Crawford.

Competitors arrived in the UAE from 29 countries to tackle the challenging route through the remote deserts of the Rub Al Khali, but Al Hilli is confident that she can reach the finish on Saturday back in Dubai and become the first Bahraini female ever to complete the UAE Desert Challenge.

"I spent the last few days getting used to the new car and we went out into the desert so that I could drive in the dunes," admitted Al Hilli. "I deliberately went through some patches of very soft sand and members of my team have been showing me the technique to use if the car gets stuck or we have a problem.

"Now I must concentrate and plan for the real challenge on Wednesday (today) morning. I am not nervous. People have been very helpful. I'm looking forward to it now."

The time taken to complete Tuesday evening's Prologue stage does not count in the overall standings, but Al Hilli's test really begins this morning, when she lines up on the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi for the official start from 09.30.

From there her Ron Cremen built-Pajero, under the management of Gavin Stevenson and sponsorship from Batelco, will head off to the start of the first special stage at Hameem, deep in the deserts of Abu Dhabi.

The opening competitive section will be 313 kms in length and will take competing teams into the overnight halt at the Liwa oasis bivouac in the grounds of the Liwa Hotel.