Gulf News Fun Drive: Revisiting 38 years of dune bashing and fun

Hundreds of participants every year set off to conquer the undulating dunes of the UAE

Last updated: February 09, 2024 | 16:41

2 MIN READ

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A rider negotiates the route's twists and turns during the Gulf News Fin Drive in 1986.

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Vehicles queue up at a checkpoint, on January 6, 1989.

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Musicians add local flavour to the 1990 edition that began at Jebel Ali Hotel and finished at Hatta Fort Grand Hotel.

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Participants take a breather during the 1992 edition.

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Gulf News Fun Drive 1992.

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Adventurers listen to instructions before the start of the 1997 event, outside the Gulf News office.

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A convoy line-up for the Gulf News Fun Drive 1997 at the camp in Dubai.

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A convoy of SUVs rolls down a dirt trail, kicking up dust, on December 15, 1999.

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Volunteers clear the signboards and other leftovers of Gulf News Fun Drive in the Dubai desert.

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Participants and organisers enjoy dinner at the overnight camp during the event in 2002.

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Participants relax on the sand during a Fun Drive event.

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A car powers through the sand, expertly driven by specialist off-road driver Zahed Dalati during the 2011 edition.

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People enjoy camel rides at another edition.

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Participants at the 39th edition of Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2020 enroute Tilal Swaihan in the Al Ain region.

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Participants enjoy the dunes enroute Moreeb dune in Abu Dhabi.

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Participants at Gulf News Fun Drive at Tilal Swaihan on March 5, 2022.

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