Dubai: Pink Rock. Fossil Rock. The Pyramid.
Passwords to a secret society? Not quite. They are three of the UAE’s best kept secret desert spots you will get to know once you sign up with the Pinoy 4X4 UAE.
This intrepid group of off-roaders will take any opportunity to head for the sandy areas of Dubai and nearby emirates. And they do know a thing or two about handling their vehicles in the tricky terrains that desert landscapes throw up.
As a rule, they engage in the gear shifts and air pressure checks once a week, where both beginners and seasoned pros at the Dubai-based club share their collective enthusiasm about dune driving. “The desert is a key attraction, so we try to teach people how to enjoy a drive through in the safest way possible,” said the club’s President Jun Samiley.
The group offers free desert driving lessons for tyros, intermediate and advanced drivers. “We plan the route to match the group’s skills; simpler routes for newbies and more tricky ones for intermediate and advanced drivers,” said Samiley. “Generally, it’s all about how you can reduce the risk of injuries and vehicle damage while driving in the desert.”
From five members in 1996, the club’s fan base totals nearly 100. Many of the volunteer tutors are licensed professionals working in companies offering desert safaris. During the winter peak season, the group conducts overnight desert camps on Thursdays. In summer, classes for beginners are on Fridays from 6am to 10am.
The training covers defensive and deep sand driving, recovery techniques, vehicle maintenance and avoiding hidden hazards. “Desert driving is a fun hobby, but it can be expensive,” says Samiley. First off, anyone who wants to take the hobby seriously needs to buy another car.
“You can’t just drive any car into the desert,” said Cherie Mae Michael, a mother of two and a keen off-roader since 2004. A pre-requisite is a four-wheel drive built to withstand heavy punishment- right from the unexpected terrain to the harsh desert conditions.
The more affordable Japanese cars are popular with buyers, but there a lot of the ultra-rugged Wranglers as well.
A used car would cost a minimum of Dh10,000 and modifications would cost at least Dh5,000. “You need to condition the car for desert driving... maybe change the shock absorbers, add engine support, a bash plate, or install a roll bar,” said Cherie.
She bought a Grand Cherokee for a steal at Dh7,500 in 2009. The owner had used it for desert driving and wanted to upgrade his ride. “So far we haven’t spent on maintenance, but put up about Dh2,000 for cosmetic changes and about Dh170 for a full tank of petrol every time we drive out into the desert,” she said.
Repairs would cost a minimum of Dh3,000, but if all is well, you can survive the day by just spending Dh200 for petrol and another Dh50 or Dh100 to have the vehicle cleaned afterwards. “There will be sand building up in various parts of your vehicle; that needs to be cleaned immediately because it could cause corrosion,” Cherie added.
“Desert drives are just not for adventure, but also to socialise, build camaraderie and share tips with enthusiasts. It’s definitely a good way to unwind after a hard day’s work.”
