By Neil Perkins

DUBAI — The Gulf Challenge, which was announced back in May and was scheduled to start in September 2017, has been postponed until 2018.

The decision was announced by Abdullah Bakhashab, the former FIA Middle East rally champion and promoter of the Gulf Challenge, after consultation with the respective automobile federations and motor sport clubs in the Arabian Gulf region.

Bakhashab cited unfavorable economic conditions, which had prompted many companies interested in supporting the Challenge to change their stances in recent weeks and this had negatively affected the preparations for the exciting new rally series.

Bakhashab said: “I regret to announce the postponement of the Gulf Challenge, which was scheduled to start next month, to the 2018-2019 season. There is a positive side to this decision in that it gives us more time to organize, promote and prepare in the way that we want to and it will also help those eager to participate to better prepare themselves, so that we can attract as many competitors as possible next season.”

The Gulf Challenge is the brainchild of Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the former multiple FIA Middle East Rally Champion and President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates. Ben Sulayem attracted unrivalled support from the relevant automobile federations in the Arabian Gulf states to establish a new 4x4 rallying series.

The Gulf Challenge will be decided over rounds in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.