DUBAI — After a furious race in the beautiful dunes of the Western region, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge wrapped up with Nissan Patrols filling the top five spots in the T2 group.



Mansoor Bel Helei, the local racer who is sponsored by Nissan and the son of local champion Yahya Bel Helei, brought his T2 Nissan Patrol home in third place and overall he ranked first among Arabs with his co-driver Ali Mirza.



Commenting on the results Samir Cherfan, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East said: “We congratulate all winners, especially Mansoor Bel Helei, whom we are sponsoring this year, for his outstanding performance. We are proud that Nissan Patrols came in the top five, as “The Hero of all Terrains” is built for such races.”



He added: “Nissan has been the long-term supporter of the rally with its flagship Patrol SUV being the official race car for the tenth year now. The fourth leg of the rally is named after Nissan, and is arguably the toughest stage of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, testing the full capabilities of our leading SUV.”



Commenting on his achievement, Mansoor Bel Helei said: “I am excited to accomplish the third place in this tough race and first among Arabs. The whole experience was amazing and I am thankful for our sponsor Nissan who supported me in this.



I will be coming back next year stronger with the aim of ranking in first place.”



Khazakhstan drivers, Denis Berezovsky and Alexey Nikizhev, achieved first place, whereas Bauyrzhan Issabaev, also from Kazakhstan, came in second place, with his co-driver Stansilav Podolyanyuk.

 

In fourth place was Romulo Blanco with co-driver Joao Serodio, while fifth place went to Ahmed Al-Shegawi with his co-driver Arif Mohammad. — SG