Sam Sunderland will go straight back into action in the UAE Desert Championship next week as he looks to build on a career breakthrough in South America.
The third round of the UAE national rally series, which begins on January 31, will be the Dubai-based 24 year old’s first competitive outing since securing a stage victory at the Dakar Rally on the second stage.
He became the first Englishman in 15 years to win a stage at the rally, and although his event was cut short two days later by engine failure, he was pleased with his form at the event and hopes it is a catalyst for a strong run at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, which begins on April 3.
“It was a really good experience,” he said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t last long, but that’s racing, and there’s nothing you can do about it when something breaks.
“For the time being, I’m looking forward to the next round of the Desert Championship. Unfortunately, I ran out of fuel in the last round and so I’ll have to decide whether to use a rally bike or a motocross bike this time.
“It’s good preparation for the Desert Challenge, and I’m very lucky to have such a great base here in the UAE with the dunes, and the mountains towards the east coast.
“I’ve got everything I need here, and I just have to work hard to be successful. You don’t get anywhere in life without working hard.”
Sunderland was denied victory in last year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge after a receiving a 10-minute penalty for a basic technical infringement, eventually finishing third in the classifications.
The UAE Desert Championship is run with the support of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE.
“It was a great achievement by Sam to win a Dakar Rally stage, and I’m happy to see that he is supporting our national championship,” club president Mohammed ben Sulayem said.
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