Audi to participate in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Hot on the heels of its successful Dakar Rally stint, Audi announces its participation in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The international rally raid race will happen from March 6 to 10 in Abu Dhabi and will see the Audi RS Q e-tron brave five stages of sand, sun, and sweat.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge was founded by Emirati Motorsport legend, former EMSO President, and new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The prestigious rally event will once again put the innovative, electric drivetrain-powered desert prototype through its paces in a series of daily stages of around 217 to 318 kilometers that add up to 1,342 kilometers. According to Audi, the total rally distance of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, including liaison stages, will be 1,933 kilometers.

Stéphane Peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger will be competing in the event using the Audi RS Q e-tron they already drove in January. However, the competition in Abu Dhabi differs significantly from the Dakar Rally as the former offers easier navigation than the latter. Boulanger will no longer have to look for the hidden “waypoint masqué” in the roadbook as virtual terrain markers are now clearly indicated in the organizer’s navigation aids.

That said, the team sets a more ambitious objective for its second outing in the dunes — securing their first victory. 

“We had a trouble-free second Dakar week in which we were able to set some nice highlights. Now we want to try and clinch our first podium result,” said Peterhansel.

Audi will provide fans a comprehensive coverage of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge via the German automotive brand’s official Facebook page as well as through audimedia.tv in Abu Dhabi.

Photos from Audi and ADDC

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