X-raid MINI withdraws participation in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2020
Health of drivers and employees is top priority
Due to the global spread of COVID-19
Due to the current global situation, X-raid has decided to withdraw its participation in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (20.-26.March 2020). The team from Trebur is taking these actions for several reasons. The health of our team members is the top priority. The risk of an infection with the coronavirus increases due to travel and participation in events with many people. Another reason is the entry requirements, which can change at short notice at any time. This makes planning more difficult and increases the risk that employees will not be allowed to enter the country as well as on transit at short notice or will be quarantined.
The start of the two crews Stéphane and Andrea Peterhansel in the MINI JCW Buggy and Stephan Schott with Paulo Fiuza in the MINI ALL4 Racing was planned. All the drivers would have loved to take part in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, but they all stand behind the team’s decision.
At the headquarters in Trebur, X-raid has reinforced the hygiene precautions and, among other things, suspended workshop tours and reduced public traffic to diminish the risk of spreading. Further steps in this direction will follow in order to protect the health of the employees in the best possible way.
Sven Quandt: “The decision not to compete in Abu Dhabi was the result of long internal considerations. But we must think above all of our drivers and employees. Their health is our top priority. In addition, we want to reduce the risk that they will be quarantined due to changing entry regulations or the infection of other participants and cannot return home to their families”.
