BMW G450X racer Ümit Salkim from Turkey will be testing his strength and talent against desert sand, rugged terrain, blistering heat and several hundred other competitors when he contests the Rally of Tunisia 2009, which begins this weekend over in Africa.

Ümit Salkim and friends with his BMW G450X

This famous African rally will see motorcycles, quads, cars and trucks take on the mighty Sahara desert for 11 days of navigation, competition and adventure. Taking place among a labyrinth of sandy and technical tracks, this major rally features long off-piste sections through the majestic ergs of southern Tunisia, encounters with Libya's cathedral-like dunes and a plethora of breathtaking landscapes.

Last year, the organisers decided to extend the rally beyond Tunisia's borders and included four stages in Libya. As this was widely approved by the 250 competitors in the race, a Libyan section is included in the 2009 rally, but with new tracks to offer participants even more varied terrain. With 5,000 kilometres to race, a super-section in Tunis and ten stages - including a marathon stage (without assistance) - the 2009 rally will be incredibly demanding, but Ümit Salkim is well prepared for every eventuality that he might encounter during this exceptional adventure.

"Strength and performance are going to be decisive factors for any competitor attempting the Tunisia Rally, so I've been concentrating on making sure that I am as physically fit as possible and that my technical preparation skills are second to none," said the young rider who participated in the 450cc class of the 2007 Egypt Rally and finished in sixth place in the Marathon category.

"The Rally of Tunisia 2009 has been identified as one of the world's most demanding races and I am proud to represent Turkey in this competition. At 4,300 kilometres, the rally is one of the longest and most difficult after the Dakar rally, but I am looking forward to the challenge of competing there on the BMW G450X."

The Rally of Tunisia 2009 will be the first stage of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country for cars and trucks and the first leg of the FIM World Championship for Cross Country for motorbikes and ATVs. After completing technical scrutineering in Tunis, Ümit will participate in a `super-special' stage on the beach before the ten stages of the rally take place from 23 April to 2 May.

BMW G450X racer Ümit Salkim from Turkey

In the Libyan desert, Ümit will face giant sand dunes, gravel tracks, rocky passes, water crossings and many other natural hazards that will test his own fitness levels, as well as the durability of his BMW G450X. After six days riding in Tunisia, he will reach the Libyan border and contest a Marathon stage of 850 kilometres over two days, where assistance isn't allowed. If he makes it through this, then he will head back towards Tunisia, where the rally finishes on the beach at Tozeur on 2 May.

With sponsorship and support from Castrol and local BMW importer Borusan Otomotiv, Ümit is hoping that the Rally of Tunisia 2009 is a successful one for him, as he also plans to contest other rounds of the FIM Cross Country World Championship in Italy, Brazil, Egypt and Morocco later this year on the BMW G450X.

For more information on the Rally of Tunisia 2009, please visit the www.npo.fr/tunisie_2009 website, which is available in French and English language versions.