Please register to access this content.
To continue viewing the content you love, please sign in or create a new account
Dismiss
This content is for our paying subscribers only

UAE Transport

Update

Tilal Swaihan Experience: All the action from the 42nd edition of Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive

Hundreds of off-road buffs took part in the Gulf News Fun Drive



A Tank SUV lead the pack. The Gulf News Fun Drive is a 142 km route and has been designed as a loop. The start and finish of the Drive is the same location as the Tilal Swaihan camp site.
Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/!Gulf News

Hundreds of participants aboard 4X4 vehicles converged for the 42nd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive – The Tilal Swaihan Experience. The event saw adventure-seekers conquer the seemingly endless sand dunes from sunup to sundown, creating an unforgettable desert experience for families and friends. Relive the thrilling adventure by following all the awe-inspiring moments:

First-timers share their amazing experience

Indian breakfast at the Gulf News Drive

Advertisement

Breakfast is served

Cake cutting ceremony

Abdul Hamid Ahmad, CEO & Editor In Chief of Gulf News, cuts the cake at the end of the Gulf News Fun Drive. Suraj Shetty, Muhammad Imran, and Marclino Fernandes, COO- Gulf News are also seen.
Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News
Advertisement

People enjoy a beautiful Tanoura dance

Entertainment at the Gulf News Fun Drive

Advertisement

GWM Tanks on display

Participants enjoy evening activities 

Kids at the XBOX booth

Advertisement

A view  of the stalls at the camp

Participants return to the camp

Advertisement
Marshals working to get a punter’s car out of the sand
Image Credit: Anjana Kumar/Gulf News

Distinctive beauty of the desert

Bird's-eye view

Participants stunt in their can-am buggy at Gulf News Fun Drive 2024.

Participants stunt in their can-am buggy at Gulf News Fun Drive 2024.

Participants stunt in their can-am buggy at Gulf News Fun Drive 2024.

1 of 3

Advertisement

Enjoying the sun and sand

Marshals come to the rescue

Taking a break

Participants take a well deserved break.

Participants take rest under the shade of a Ghaf tree.

Participant pass by rocky sand at Gulf News Fun Drive 2024 taking place in Telal Swaihan.

1 of 3

Oldest car in Fun Drive 2024

Farid Ahli driving a Range Rover Discovery 1998, which he says is the oldest car in the Fun Drive.
Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Up close with camels

Participants drive past camels.
Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

'Tank 300 is an amazing car'

Participants make merry in the desert

Dinesh Haldawnekar and Sam Thampi says Tank SUV is effortless in desert.

Rifay, Monish, Jothi, Ranajay and Nandika enjoying the Fun Drive.

1 of 2

Participants at Gulf News Fun Drive Overnighter 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

Participants at Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

Participants at Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

Participants at Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

1 of 4

Marshals on duty

A marshal assisting participants.

A marshal assisting participants.

1 of 2

Thrilled first time participants

A glimpse of the beautiful sand dunes of Tilal Swaihan

Participants at Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

Participants at Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

Participants at Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

1 of 3

Dune bashing begins

Dune bashing at the Gufl News Fun Drive.

A Tank SUV lead the pack.

Participants at the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2024 at Tilal Swaihan.

1 of 3

Marshals in action

It's flag off time

And it’s a go for the 42nd Gulf News Fun Drive.

And it’s a go for the 42nd Gulf News Fun Drive.

1 of 2


‘It’s a family event’

A DJ in action

CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News greets participants

Hamad Bin Hamdan (centre), with Abdul Hamid Ahmad (second from left), Gulf News CEO and Editor-in-Chief, and participants.
Image Credit:

Freebies at Karcher stall

Breakfast time

Participants having breakfast.

Breakfast at Gulf News overnighter fundrive

Breakfast at Gulf News overnighter fundrive

Breakfast at Gulf News overnighter fundrive

1 of 4

An event manager explains the meal plans

Gulf News supplement is distributed

Food distribution arrangements

Pulsating atmosphere at the campsite

Early preparations

Families make early registration

Participants collect their lunch boxes at the campsite.
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Marshals ready to tackle the dunes

The mood is set!

Marshals check-in

Marshals line up at the registration desk.
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Marshals getting ready early in the morning at the camp site.
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Team Gulf News ready, waiting for participants


Option for an easy route

The Gulf News Fun Drive this time is a 142 km route and has been designed as a loop. The start and finish of the Drive is the same location as the Tilal Swaihan camp site.

The route - designed by John Spiller with a long history of planning desert rallies – promises to bring thrill and adventure to all. Newbies on the desert have the option to take on an easy route and quench their adventure on the Tilal Swaihan dunes.

Seasoned off-roaders can put their prowess to test on the Tilal Swaihan desert in the ‘extra fun’ section designed by Spiller which is bound to set the adrenaline pumping.

Where is Tilal Swaihan?

Tilal Swaihan, approximately 70 kms from Al Ain, is a tourist destination and recreational campsite that blends local resources and UAE’s rich culture with world-class amenities and attractions.

Participants registered must download the Fun Drive Tracker App. The App allows participants to follow their route as well as follow the route set by John Spiller. Emergency calling number is available on the app as well. A control room with senior marshals are manning the entire route via a digital map. Help from marshals is available at any given time.

The campsite will be ready to welcome participants and their families at any point in time. Participants can head back to the camp anytime where several activations are set up. The evening will see an entertainment lined up along with a sumptuous buffet dinner.

- With inputs from Anjana Kumar, Senior Reporter; Irish Eden R. Belleza, Senior Visual Editor; Virendra Saklani, Chief Visual Journalist; Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor; Ahmed Ramzan, Senior Visual Journalist; Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor; Jaya Chandran, Online Editor; Anas Thacharpadikkal, Senior Visual Journalist; Clint Egbert, Senior Visual Journalist

Read more on Gulf News Fun Drive

Advertisement