Everything You Need to Know Before the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2024

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC), as the second date of the 2024 World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC). In Dakar 2024, we witnessed unexpected twists and turns, seeing prominent competitors Nasser Al Attiyah and Yazeed Al Rajhi face insurmountable difficulties. Al Attiyah, winner of three races in 2023, and Al Rajhi, with two victories, were forced to withdraw from the competition. Saudi Al Rajhi, after an accident in the Empty Quarter, could not restart the race due to severe damage to his vehicle, while Qatari Al Attiyah abandoned in the eighth stage due to technical problems.

Despite these setbacks, the new 2024 regulations have allowed these drivers to maintain their position in the points table. Nasser Al Attiyah is in eighth place with 18 points, and Yazeed Al Rajhi in twelfth with 14 points. This points system gives them a chance for recovery in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC), where they will seek redemption.

In an interesting note, Nasser Al Attiyah has formed a new alliance with Édouard Boulanger, formerly navigator for Stéphane Peterhansel. This change marks a new chapter in Al Attiyah's career, who has been associated with Mathieu Baumel since 2014. The Baumgart brothers, from the X Rally Team Motorsports, will also join the battle in their Hunters with Prodrive support, in an effort for the constructors' title.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz leads the overall standings with 76 points, followed by Guillaume de Mevius and Guerlain Chicherit, who have shown their skill with notable performances. De Mevius and Chicherit, paying tribute to the American television series "Colt Seavers" with their Hilux vehicles, occupy the second and third positions, respectively. In an exciting twist of events, Lucas Moraes and Seth Quintero, the new officials of the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, have been surpassed by these talented competitors, showing that they are up to the challenge.

Juan Cruz Yacopini, third in the 2023 championship, is in 15th place with 11 points, while Denis Krotov is in seventh place with 27 points. The Toyota armada will be well represented with nine Hilux on the grid, including Lionel Baud.

In other categories, Martin Prokop returns with his reliable Ford Raptor, known as "Shrek." The Czech, who has finished second in the last two editions of the ADDC, will look to improve on that result this year. Pau Navarro will represent X-raid Mini JCW, and Aliyyah Koloc from Buggyra ZM Racing will compete in her Red-Lined.

In the light prototype category, Rokas Baciuska, Marcelo Gastaldi, Nicolas Cavigliasso, Austin Jones, and Dania Akeel stand out, all at the top of the points table in their respective positions. In SSV, Yasir Seaidan leads with 91 points, closely followed by Sara Price and Joao Ferreira. The group of competitors is completed by Sebastián Guayasamín, Enrico Gaspari, Ricardo Ramilo, and regulars Rebecca Busi, Antonio Cinotto, and Claude Fournier.

This start of the season shows us that, although favorites may face challenges, there is always room for surprises and new talents to emerge. The race for the title is more open than ever, and rally fans can look forward to a season full of surprises.