Dubai, Dec 1 (Inditop.com) The 31st Dubai International Rally would start here Thursday, WAM new agency reported Tuesday.

Sheikh Majed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum will flag-off the rally, the final round of the 2009 Middle East Rally Championship, Thursday evening from the start ramp in Burj Dubai.

President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATC-UAE) Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The motor sport scene here has changed dramatically in recent years and there are so many new events and disciplines now. But the Dubai International Rally is an important part of our sporting history and will always be one of our flagship events.”

The three-team UAE contingent consists of Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi in a Subaru Impreza STI, Rashid Al Ketbi in a Skoda Fabia S2000 and Sadiq Fadhel in a Mitsubishi Evo X.