February 29th 1980 marked the start of Dubai's formal involvement in Motor Sport. Rally Course was 450km and took about 8 hours to complete!
Al Nasr Motor Sports Club organised the inaugural Masafi 4WD Rally. 34 Competitors were mainly Dubai Residents with some entries from Gulf States.
Competing Cars ranged from specially prepared Rally Cars to the Family 4WD adorned with Sponsors' Stickers.
The first Masafi Rally start line was at the old Dubai Hilton Hotel - now demolished. Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum (then UAE's Defence Minister) started the Rally. Stan Robinson (Chairman Al Nasr Motor Sports Club) provided the Rally Commentary.
A Special Stage at Marmon Quarry on the Jebel Ali Road provided Spectator interest.
Most of the Rally took place in the desert and mountain areas that Spectators could not easily access. Mammon Quarry Special Stage became a popular place for the Public to watch the Masafi Rally.
Marmmon Quarry Special Stage provided a test for both Drivers and Cars.
Women competed in the first Masafi Rally. Kath Goulder and Caroline Astley won the Ladies Prize in a 797 cc Suzuki.
Saeed Khalfan and John Spiller in their Mercedes 230G were comfortable winners of the first Masafi 450 kilometre 4-wheel drive along testing desert terrain. Bahrain entry of David Ovey and Brian Carron came second . The prizes were distributed by Abdul Rahman Al Ghurair, Managing Director of Masafi.
