A safe yet challenging desert drive

Six hundred and fifty 4WDs will be flagged off from the Dubai Autodrome beginning 1pm on Thursday, starting a weekend of safe yet challenging desert driving, entertainment and good food.

This is the 25th Gulf News Fun Drive, so it's particularly special.

On Thursday, the convoy should start arriving at the Lahbab campsite in about three hours, for an evening under the stars.

Think lavish buffet and top class entertainment, but we're not giving away anything more at present.

On Friday, the overnighters will be joined by the day-drivers - another 100 cars.

After a good breakfast, all participants will take to the sands again for the roughly six-hour drive to Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

And then, after a barbecue and some more entertainment, they will go home, filled with memories and a sense of achievement.

A sense that comes out of understanding the desert, not aiming to conquer it.

Of course, great planning goes behind making the Fun Drive a success.

Apart from the usual logistics, the focus is on safety, security and minimalising environment damage.

Sixty-five marshals, all experienced desert drivers, will guide the convoy through, ready to offer help at any point. Emergency medical aid will be available.

And, as always, particular care has been taken to plan the route.

Protecting the desert

"We do everything we can before, during and after, to minimise damage to the environment," said Jehanbaz Ali Khan, route director and communications controller of the Fun Drive.

"We try to select routes that mainly use existing Bedouin tracks in the desert, tracks that have been used for decades. We look at old maps of the Fifties to spot them. Sometimes these tracks get blown over, so we open them."

"Occasionally, we use stretches that have no tracks. Then we use stretches with no or minimal vegetation that can be damaged."

"We use plenty of arrows, tiger tapes and little flags stuck on black pipes so that everyone keeps on track and are not wandering around causing havoc to the desert."

During the drive, Gulf News provides plenty of trash bags and car tidies - courtesy Dubai Municipality - so that everyone can pack off their own litter, Khan pointed out.

"Afterwards, we do our own pick-up round, with voluntary marshals going into the desert to do a good sweep. Regrettably, not everyone uses the bin bags the way they should, so we go right back and clean the desert up."

A long-time route director, Khan has flown in especially from Thailand, where he now lives, to help shape the 25th Fun Drive.

"I think the Fun Drive is extremely well organised and safe. It is so successful because it provides a safe opportunity for inexperienced as well as experienced people to test their driving skills in the desert," he said.

"It is an adventure and a challenge. It is a chance for likeminded people to get together and enjoy each other?s company. People get excellent value for money for a weekend out."

And what does he enjoy the most? The answer came promptly. "Naheed?s egg sandwiches."

Naheed Patel, Gulf News Promotions Manager, is the main force behind the Fun Drive.

"Her sandwiches are part of the folklore of the Fun Drive. And I'm very upset they finished before I got to them," he said, tongue not quite firmly in cheek.

Gulf News Fun Drive sponsors

Checkpoints are sponsored by Al Futtaim Motors - Toyota, who are the main sponsors of the event; Dubai Duty Free, Ace Hardware, Lacnor, Nokia - Techmart, Bomba Energy Drink, Axa, Bridgestone - Nasser Bin Abdullatif Al Serkal and Channel 4 Network.

The Fun Drive vehicle numbers are sponsored by Lufthansa German Airlines, the specially-designed wheel covers by PlayStation 2 and goody bags by Emirates Bank International.

Other support sponsors include Oasis Mineral Water, Nivea, Fine Hygienic Paper FZE, Lipton, Byrne Equipment Rental, Alco, Welcare Hospital, Al Raha Beach Hotel, Soubra, Multilink Events & Management, Dubai Autodrome and Zarco.

Recovery service is provided by IATC - Abu Dhabi. Catering is done by Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa.

The Gulf News Overnighter is held with the special support of the Emirates Motor Sports Federation.