You would think completing a 210-kilometre desert route would exhaust anyone, but participants at the 33rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive were full of energy after almost eight hours of dune bashing.

Following a hot dinner buffet, some people simply gathered by the bonfire built near their tents, while others danced to music blasted by a DJ.

Vikas Dwivedi, who was taking part in the Fun Drive for the first time, was dancing with friends even when the music had stopped. Dwivedi was clearly having a blast.

“We call ourselves ‘The Crazies’ because after doing these complicated challenges like dune bashing, we go crazy. We dance when no one else is dancing, and we just have fun,” he told tabloid!, adding that he plans to participate in next year’s drive.

Another participant, Manoj Prajapati, was building a fire with the help of friends, and heating up coal for shisha, which he brought along.

“I’ve been participating in the Fun Drive for four years, and I’ve seen it only growing bigger and better. I love to take part because it’s good fun to see the beauty of the emirates every year,” the Dubai resident said.

He added that he particularly enjoys driving his own car across the sand dunes.

Among his friends was Balan Tiru who was participating in the drive for the first time.

“I really like the scenic routes, and I had read [the route] is going to be 210 kilometres so this really inspired me to join. Next year, we’ll be more prepared, but at least it’s nice to see that the route caters to newbies and professional desert drivers so even those who don’t have experience will have a lot of fun,” Tiru said.

Another driver, Kristina Sharygina, who was participating for the sixth year, had come with her parents, and said she used the drive as a test of her driving skills. After dune bashing, she roamed around the camp site to watch the live entertainment.

“[The drive] is a good chance to get out, socialise, test your driving skills and meet other people who love desert drives and four-by-four [cars]. I look forward to this event every year and it never lets you down; you always get what you expected and sometimes even more,” Sharygina said.

Having been on the drive many times before, she added that this year was better than last year’s as it was more challenging.

However, there were drivers who felt differently.

Having dinner with his family while they all wore purple wigs, Krishna Bhatia described the challenge of having his car stuck in the sand.

“The third checkpoint was difficult because of the soft sand, and the car was sticking so we were constantly on the phone with the hotline trying to get help. Overall, it’s a lot fun and we enjoyed the drive. We decided to participate again because we love dune bashing, and it’s a new learning experience every time,” Bhatia, who was participating for the second time, said.