Meet Dubai resident who spends 3 days a week in the desert

Dubai: John Spiller, a long-time resident and motorsport professional, has always been drawn to the desert. Since his first drive through the vast dunes of the UAE in 1978 during the Dubai Rally, the golden sands have become an intrinsic part of his life.

Now, almost half a century later, the 72-year-old British expat is looking forward to directing one of the most iconic desert events in the UAE: The 43rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive in Al Ain’s Tilal Swaihan.

Apart from being the race director of the Fun Drive for about eight years, he has been associated with the Dubai Classic Rally, Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Dubai International Baja, Himalaya Challenge, Dakar Rally, Peking to Paris, Sahara Challenge, to name a few.

“I’ve never done a day’s work in my life because I love what I do. Therefore, I can’t really call it work,” Spiller said.

Through his work in executing desert events, Spiller has developed a deep connection to a landscape that has been his second home for decades.

“I spend, on average, three days a week in the desert with the different activities I do. Every day I go, I record and archive what I’ve done from the GPS for future reference. I think I had more than 100 files last year from different activities.”

Reflecting on his first desert ride, he noted that the experience “never ceases to knock him out”.

“I came here for the Dubai Rally in 1978. Every time I look through my car windscreen, I think: ‘That’s my office window today.’ My daughter, who lives in London, sees a smoky wall and hears police cars flashing and sirens going off in the street, and I, here, am looking across this amazing scene.”

Highlighting the contrast between the limited off-roading experiences that some people might have in European countries, Spiller feels “privileged” to be able to enjoy long and high-octane rides in the UAE.

“In Europe, people go: ‘Wow, we just found a 4km track to take our vehicles out.’ Whereas, I can go out for 10 days here, drive for 10 hours a day, and just keep finding virgin new tracks, new vistas, new challenges, and different dunes – from the high ones to the low ones to the flat ones. I feel very privileged.”

With his vast experience, Spiller has had numerous interesting and insightful conversations with the locals in the desert. He draws a distinction between the desert Arabs – the native tribe who have a long, intimate history with the desert and the new generation of Arabs from cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

As the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive draws near, Spiller’s enthusiasm is palpable. He has been preparing for months, ensuring the route is ready and that every detail is in place.

“Part of my thing with any event, particularly with Fun Drive, is almost vocational. I want to show people the desert and give them the opportunity to try something new. Some of them love it, and some of them don’t. If they’re confident that they love it, they’ll go back. If they’re not, and it’s just not their thing, well, they don’t have to go again. But at least they’ve tasted it.”

The two-day Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive will be held on February 15 and 16.