Al Thika sponsors Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Sweep Team
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Al Thika Packaging LLC, the company has sponsored the Sweep Team for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The ADDC is a round of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and covers some 2000km of the Al Gharbia desert region of the UAE.
Ian Barker, the Managing Director of Al Thika, competed in cross-country rallying until recently, competing 10 times in the ADDC. Since his retirement from the sport, he is now part of the Sweep Team.
The Sweep Team is a volunteer organization of marshals, responsible for the safety of the competitors and recovery of abandoned bikes and quads from the desert. It is split into four groups, which start at different points in the stage each day, enabling the entire 250-300km stage to be swept to ensure that no competitor is left in the desert. Specially modified pick-ups known as ’toastracks’ are used to transport bikes and quads out of the desert, and back to the rally bivouac.
The vital work of the ADDC Sweep Team was recognised in 2014 by the FIA, when they won the worldwide ‘Best Marshal Team’ award.
