Desert romance

Dubai: An estimated 750 cars are expected to tackle some of Dubai's challenging desert terrain as the 30th edition of the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive flags off on Friday.

This year's event sees the ‘fun' begin at The Sevens, Lisaili, where convoys will embark on an eight-hour drive over a stretch of 211km to reach the camp with the first cars expected to arrive by 4pm.

Participants will then stay overnight at the campsite before setting out for home the next morning after a sumptuous breakfast. The course for the drive has been specially charted.

Checkpoints

The vehicles will drive through checkpoints such as Al Futtaim Motors — Toyota, AXA, Bridgestone, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Driving Institute, Shell Helix and the Unilever brands Rexona, Lifebuoy and Vaseline.

Spearheaded by Route Director Jum Ali Khan and Convoy Leader Jack Pearce, around 50 highly-experienced marshals will be present along the route to assist and guide participants. A team of 200 Gulf News personnel will also be involved in the event, manning checkpoints and taking care of all organisational details.

IATC, led by Hamad Ali Al Mazroui, the company's Managing Director, will be in charge of recovery.

The route is mainly over tricky sand and gravel sections and tests concentration, endurance, patience and off-road driving skills from start to finish. Khan assured that participating families will find the journey through the dunes enjoyable.

"It's a very technical route," he said. "The driver needs to have 100 per cent concentration while the co-driver needs to take care of the navigational duties. However, the route will cover certain areas where we've never been before. There will be more scenic stretches for the family this year."

Participants can look forward to an evening of fun and extravaganza at a camp equipped with tents, portaloos, food — including plenty of veggie choices — and beverages.

The event, which is backed by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation, is renowned for attracting seasoned enthusiasts as well as first-timers.

It has a proud history with the first one taking place 25 years ago when 75 four-wheel drive enthusiasts took part.

DUNE DO'S and DON'TS

• Don't lose sight of the car ahead of you
• Follow route notes
• Enter all GPS coordinates before you start
• Nervous riders may shut their eyes, especially while driving down steep slopes
• Don't do stunts such as ‘doughnuts' on soft tyres or on an incline, and listen to the marshals when stuck in sand
• Tyre pressure may go up when you drive on hot sand
• If the vehicle is struggling on soft sand, then stop and reduce tyre pressure. The correct pressure is 15 to 16 psi
• Don'te accelerate much while negotiating slopes. The rear wheels may bounce
• Drive straight in low gear and not at an angle on slopes
• Don't touch the brakes, let the engine do the job