Team PIAA Ralliart driver, Kenjiro Shinozuka
faces Desert Challenge in UAE

Japanese Rally driver Kenjiro Shinozuka travels to the United Arab Emirates in November to face his final challenge in this years FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies - the Marlboro UAE Desert Challenge - which starts in Abu Dhabi on November 2, 1999.

Driving his Team PIAA Ralliart Pajero/Montero, the former Dakar winner is hoping for victory after a year long battle with Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser for the World Cup fought across the globe in many different types of terrain. Now they return to the sandy deserts of the Middle East for the final rally of the season, before the ultimate challenge of the Dakar 2000, to be held across northern Africa in the New Year.
Shinozuka will face tough competition in the UAE, not only from Schlesser and his buggy, but also from a wide range of other competitors and vehicles including legendary sports car driver Jacky Ickx, Nissans Thierry de Lavergne and Etienne Smulevici and former motor bike cross country champion, the vastly experienced Stephane Peterhansel. Plus there will be a large number of talented local drivers with intimate experience of the vast desert areas in the Emirates. The world most famous lady rally driver, Jutta Kleinschmidt, who will also drive Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, will also join Shinozuka.

The event starts with a prologue on November 2, followed by four very tough legs centered on the famously welcoming bivouac at Arian (were the organizers even provide a swimming pool!). Despite the comforts of the bivouac, the competitors face one of the toughest rallies in the world during the day, including the infamous Rub Al Khaki section on the third day, through the ominously-named Empty Quarter. A vast sea of sand and dunes awaits the competitors making traction and agility, together with great stamina to survivehigh daytime temperatures, the order of the day.

The UAE Desert Challenge is scheduled to finish back in the Hyatt Regency hotel in Dubai on November 6, 1999.

Kenjiro Shinozuka said, "The event is the final round of the World Cup. I am sure Mitsubishi will take the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies / Manufactures' series Champion, but I would like to finish of this season with my winning of this event. Important things of winning this event are how to attack dunes and navigation. I can trust my navigator and our Pajero/Montero, so I think we can do it !!"

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