Vladimir Vasilyev won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for Mini; four Minis in the top ten

Vladimir Vasilyev (RU) won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for Mini. The Russian drove an uncontested victory in the Mini All4 Racing used by the Monster Energy X-raid Team and finished almost 48 minutes ahead of second-placed Adam Malysz (PL) after five legs of the
demanding desert rally. With this success, the experienced Dakar driver Vasilyev also took the lead in the overall standings of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. He's now leading the championship with a total of 63 points ahead of Yazeed Alrajhi (SA/60).

"I am over the moon to have brought home my first victory of the season here in Abu Dhabi," said Vasilyev, pleased with himself after a total of 2,015.8 km. "The competition was very strong once again and the conditions were not easy due to the fine desert sand. However, my MINI was extremely reliable again. A big advantage at this difficult rally." At the first two world cup rallies in Russia and Italy, the Russian in the Mini All4 Racing, which is based on the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman, finished in second and fourth.

Four Mini All4 Racing cars finished in the top ten. Stephan Schott (DE) finished in fifth, Erik Van Loon (NL) in sixth and Aidyn Rakhimbayev (KZ) finished in tenth place. Overall the Mini All4 Racing demonstrated once more its reliability in difficult and hot conditions winning all five stages in Abu Dhabi.

The fourth race in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies takes place in ten days time in Qatar. From April 20-25 it's back to the desert, where the Mini All4 Racing will be able to prove its competitive ability on sand for the third time this year.

Final results of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
1. Vasilyev (RU) Mini All4 Racing – 17h 10m 19s
2. Malysz (PL) Toyota – 17h 58m 14s
3. Zapletal (CZ) H3 – 18h 29m 58s
4. Al Helei (AE) Nissan – 18h 30m 06s
5. Schott (DE) Mini All4 Racing – 18h 43m 56s
6. Van Loon (NL) Mini All4 Racing – 19h 07m 51s


FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies, race calendar
14.02. – 16.02. Baja Russia
13.03. – 16.03. Baja Italy
06.04. – 10.04. Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
20.04. – 25.04. Sealine Cross Country Rally Qatar
18.05. – 25.05. Pharaons Rally Egypt
18.07. – 20.07. Baja Aragon
14.08. – 17.08. Baja Hungary
28.08. – 30.08. Baja Poland
03.10. – 09.10. Rally Morocco
30.10. – 02.11. Baja Portugal

Posted in: Asia Pacific,FIA World Championship,Mini,Mini All4 Racing,Motor Sports