DUBAI – Sabertooth Motoring Adventure's T1 Nissan Navara placed an impressive eighth in the Dubai international Baja that concluded last weekend in the Al Qudra desert near Dubai. The Navara, built by Nissan's South Africa-based marketing partner Red-Lined Motoring Adventure, was driven by Thomas Bell and Patrick McMurren.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja powered by Nissan and AW Rostamani saw 34 cars and buggies and 39 bikes and quads set off from the rally base at Dubai Autodrome.
"Besides taking a tire off a rim on day two where we lost some time changing the wheel, we had a really good clean run where our T1 Nissan Navara never missed a beat," said Bell. "We now look forward to taking our current form into the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in a couple of weeks time."
The race, technically the "Dubai International Baja powered by AW Rostamani and Nissan," formed the second round of this year's FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and buggies and the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads.
On March 1, AW Rostamani and Nissan Middle East provided a major boost for the race by signing a sponsorship agreement with the rally organizers, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE. As a result of the new agreement, the Nissan Patrol became the official car for the series. During the Dubai International Baja, Nissan provided a fleet of Nissan Patrols for use by the organizers as well as by FIA and FIM officials.
"The Dubai International Baja is an exciting new addition to the UAE's motorsport calendar and presents us with a wonderful new opportunity to showcase the qualities of the Nissan Patrol," said Samir Cherfan, managing director for Nissan in the Middle East. "We are proud to be joining hands with our business partner in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to support an event which allows local competitors to share an international stage with the best from around the world."
Next up in the FIA World Cup series for Bell, McMurren and the Red-Lined Motoring Adventure Nissan Navara is the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from April 1 to 7.
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Contact
Karen Van Wyk
Red-Lined Motoring Adventure Marketing
karen@redlined.co.za
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