Where there's a wheel there's a way!

For some, the Gulf News Fun Drive is about extreme driving, challenging routes, roaring engines and meeting new people. But believe me, while all that is a given, the famous desert drive is about much, much more.

Ok, so I accept that the above are all the obvious feelings, sights and sounds, but drivers who are also willing to see past all that, witness the up close and personal view from the sand.

For example, take 7-year-old Zack Campbell, who was taking part in his second Gulf News Fun Drive with his mum, dad and 4-year-old sister Larissa.

I asked him what his best moment had been during this year's successful event.

He looked at me and his eyes lit up. Animated and alive with excitement, he said: "It was amazing. I couldn't believe it. We were driving in the desert and I saw an Arabian gazelle."

"It was running in the desert and I wanted to follow it."

"Mum said we were lucky to see it. We didn't drive to fast in case we scared it."

"That was my favourite part of the drive. I will never forget it."

Don't get me wrong, I love the thrill of desert driving as much as the next person, but for that moment when you stand on top of the highest dune and spin 360 degrees, you realise that what you are looking at is one of the natural wonders of the world ? and it's right here on our doorstep.

The right start

The 25th Anniversary Gulf News Fun Drive 2005 started in style ? as only one would expect.

I could feel the electric atmosphere as I arrived at the Dubai Autodrome on the Emirates Road and couldn't wait to get started.

It felt like just minutes before we had left the world behind and were making our way to check point one, which was clearly visable thanks to Bridgestone, which sponsored the area.

In less than 3km we had passed camel farms and small communities as we tried desperately to work out if we were on the right track.

The route, which is set by a team of highly skilled local drivers months prior to the event, was clearly mapped out in the Gulf News route notes book - given to each car before you set off.

It provides clear instructions as frequently as they are required, including diagrams, notes, and distances for both total and interim travelled.

But even so, there is still some excitement born from the unexpected!

That slight doubt in the back of your mind that you may be going the wrong way makes the route even more challenging.

But, as pointed out by Jack Dinting, who has done the Fun Drive for more than 15 years, that's what allows the Fun Drive to live up to its name.

The 49-year-old graphic designer from Dubai said: "Desert driving is always a worry. There are so many things that could potentially go wrong. You could break down, get stuck in the sand, lose your way, have an accident or simply get scared."

"Those things, coupled with the fact that you normally lose mobile phone signal and are in a foreign country, are enough to put a lot of capable and potential desert drivers off even attempting to take to the sand."

"But the Gulf News Fun Drive gives people the chance to get out there and have a go with the maximum amount of support possible."

"There are marshals around at all times, a dedicated team of people to help if your car breaks down or you get lost, people to help you with the technique and not only that, but there are also hundreds of other drivers who pass you all the time - so you never feel alone or deserted."

"It's a wonderful event and I hope it continues for many years to come. I think it encourages people to have a go at dune bashing as well as meet experienced drivers for future advice and friendship."

On the trail

Taking a vehicle off-highway can be a tremendous adventure - but it can also be a tremendous disaster, unless you first take the time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the trail.

But it was wonderful to see men, women and children attempting a challenge with bright smiles clearly across their faces.

More than 2,000 people took part in this year's Gulf News Fun Drive and many said it was the best event yet.

Participants left tired but happy after driving for a total of about 10 hours through the desert over two days.

We crossed Beatton's Barrel and an area called Roger's Rubbish Dump and could see only dunes ahead.

Pollitt's Plain was next as we headed for the Bridgestone check point.

And then it was straight onto section two of day one ? the Etisalat Expressway to Lisaili.

It was over Heyworth Humps, as we zoomed to the top of a dune to help a vehicle which was stuck in the sand, that I had my first chance to take it all in.

Here we were in the middle of nowhere (as far as I'm concerned) surrounded by masses of tiny particles, which together have formed these amazing structures ? the dunes.

Nature really is a spectacular thing.

However, I was soon brought back to reality with a bang as someone handed me a shovel and told me to start digging!

A group of up-beat drivers happily jumped from their vehicles and started tearing the sand from around the wheels of the stuck 4x4.

Marshals were soon on the scene and I was impressed by the sheer ease with which a giant Hummer tugged the car from the sand, turned and left.

After a few laughs we were all on our way and joined the Emirate's largest convoy once again.

Approximately 2km on we passed through Dramatic Ali, a famous area of dunes and soon arrived at the AXA Insurance checkpoint two ? where we picked up our free goodie bag.

Section three to Underpass 9 took us through Fort Denes and Zafar's Zig Zag onto Seismo Track and directly to the Nokia checkpoint number three.

By this time, I started to feel a little bit peckish and was really looking forward to my meal at the overnight campsite.

And, as if by magic, as the sun started to set we hit checkpoint four ? sponsored by the Channel 4 Radio Network.

The sun setting in the dunes was enough to keep me going. The dramatic colours almost reflected from the sand created a breath-taking picture, which I knew I would never forget.

Arriving at the Lahbab ? the site of the camp ? I knew instantly that it certainly wasn't going to be an early night.

The laser and disco were in full swing and people of all ages were enjoying the incredible buffet provided by Jebel Ali International.

Everyone was left in no doubt that the Gulf News Fun Drive was as much about a good evening's entertainment as it was about driving.

With so many people staying at the camp in Lahbab, the atmosphere all evening was buzzing.

The warm temperatures after dark in the desert made the evening much more comfortable than many were expecting.

As well as a fire-eater, there was a laser show that saw beams of green light cut across the star-studded night sky.

And if those lasers were not enough, at the same time there was an fireworks display with red, gold, blue and white light momentarily lifting the desert night.

A huge cake featuring sand dunes, wildlife and a 4WD was cut on stage by Duleep George, Marketing and Sales Director for Gulf News, and pieces given out to Fun Drive participants.

The evening also featured two sets from a vocal band that sang covers of massive hits by the likes of Bryan Adams and Anastasia while the crowd danced their cares away. Two dancers added to the fun.

For the younger ones in the crowd, there was a good-humoured entertainer who was both a clown and a rap artist.

Children laughed as their parents started to flag after a hard day in the sand.

Bright and early

The next morning was an early start for all, with the particularly keen getting up as early as 5.30am.

Fog slowed things down in the early stages on the second day but after a short delay the weather cleared and drivers hit the dunes once again.

An enthusiastic live band belted out the hit Lovely Day as people began arriving for breakfast.

Drivers knew that the second day would be a much longer day behind the wheel with more than six hours on the sand ? without a break.

The first cars left the campsite at about 7.30am and at about the same time, around 100 vehicles that had signed up to take part in the second day of the Gulf News Fun Drive set off from the newspaper's offices on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

After less than an hour's driving, most of the lead cars took a short break to allow the early morning fog to clear.

A few adventurous drivers decided to carry on anyway and the rest followed soon afterwards once the mist had disappeared.

The drive was an obvious challenge not only because of the terrain, but also because of the section's length: more than 200km including a final tarmac run to Abu Dhabi.

The first vehicles arrived at Al Raha Beach Hotel in the capital at about 2pm. Cut-off times were in operation at the various checkpoints to ensure that no vehicles got too far behind.

And finally, a great way to end the Fun Drive ? a splendid barbecue and some more entertainment. Then we drove into the sunset ? knowing we will remember the Gulf News Fun Drive forever.