Dubai: Sam Sunderland returns to action in the Emirates Desert Championship on Friday expecting a challenging time as he looks for victory in another record-breaking round of the national baja rally series.
Sunderland, a key member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team, finished runner-up in the recent final round of the 2014 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship in Morocco, but knows there will be no easy ride on home territory.
Beaten in Morocco only by teammate and new world champion Marc Coma, the Dubai-based British rider is now fully focused on the Emirates Desert Championship, which continues with the second of six short-course rallies in the Dubai desert on Friday morning.
He will be in good company as the event, taking place in the Margham area, shatters the record entry of 100 competitors set in the first round earlier this month. Former Polish bike star Marek Dabrowski, who makes his series debut on four wheels, is among 130 entries this time.
“It’s great for the sport to have more entries as it’s growing fast in the Middle East and this baja championship is awesome,” Sunderland said.
“For me, there are a few fast guys to race against and the events are very strategic because the guy in front is doing all the work. The guy behind can follow, read his body language and see if there is any danger, so it’s always fun and competitive.
“It’s good to race in the desert any time I get the chance and it’s good to get me thinking. This time I have my friend, Jake Shipton, over from the UK. He’s fast and was leading the last round before a flat tyre took him out, so it will be good to race him.”
Organised by the Emirates Motor Sport Federation, with TAG Heuer Middle East as the official timekeeper and founding partner, the Emirates Desert Championship is run with the support of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE).
“Reaching 100 entries in the first round was a milestone for the championship and we’re very happy that the series continues to grow in popularity,” said ATCUAE President Mohammad Ben Sulayem, who is an FIA Vice President.
Sunderland finished runner up in the inaugural Emirates Desert Championship last season behind Sean Gaugain, who has not yet been able to start the defence of his bikes title because of injury.
Planning to contest three more rounds of the 2014-15 series, Sunderland will miss only Round 4 on January 16, when he will be chasing glory in the Dakar Rally.
