As nerve-wracking as the sight of a giant dune up ahead is for the beginner behind the wheel, approaching a man who has managed to dig his pride and joy 4x4 into the sand is just as daunting for a journalist.
In good spirits and taking his first burial experience on the chin, Kevin Drew was happy he was learning how not to take the peak of a dune.
In good spirits and taking his first burial experience on the chin, Kevin Drew was happy he was learning how not to take the peak of a dune.
“I just came over the top and hesitated which meant I didn’t have the momentum to take us up and over,” he said with a smile.
“But you have to keep laughing. It’s only by getting stuck you know what you’re up against. It all adds to the learning experience.”
Not helped by the fact he was driving a long-wheel base vehicle, Drew was taking part in the Gulf News Fun Drive for the first time with his wife Jennette Hutchinson.
Both teachers in Dubai, Hutchinson added: “There are so many people around to help which is a comfort. This event has given us the chance to get out and have a go with the knowledge there are plenty of experienced drivers on hand to help when we need it.”
Hoping they wouldn’t need it a second time, a number of marshals arrived to tug the pair from the peak with a tow rope. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before the couple were out with the shovels again but as the day went on things got much better and Drew was unstoppable.
Trent Buck, 26, also found himself at the mercy of the UAE desert.
Originally from the UK, Buck said he couldn’t believe how hard it was to drive on the sand.
“You watch people on television and it looks so easy. But I’m slowly getting better. It really is about the confidence to just go for it. Each time I hesitate I get stuck,” he said.
Although other participants were urged not to help fellow fun drivers and leave the heavy-duty rescues to the marshals, some were too keen to help.
“One guy snapped his tow-rope trying to help us,” said Drew. “It’s good to see people really do care.”
Picking up the broken rope so not to litter Hutchinson said: “I guess you just get better with time.”
Buck said: “I’m glad my first taste of desert driving has been with such wonderful support all around me. Thanks, Gulf News.”
Magic mechanics
Marshals, officials, organisers and of course the participants: there are a lot of different people who make the Gulf News Fun Drive possible.
But with all the ranting and revving of engines, desperately picking their way across the dunes of the UAE it’s no surprise mechanic Nelson Crasto’s mobile number is one of the busiest of the day.
An Al Futtaim Toyota technician, Crasto is just one of a small team of people called to any car which runs into problems throughout the day.
And it’s no small task. “It’s a huge challenge trying to work in the desert,” said the 28-year-old originally from India.
“In the garage we have an endless and extensive supply of tools. Here we have just this small red box,” he added holding up a modest tin.
“But the challenge is what makes it fun. We try and deal with the minor issues on the sand but sometimes the problems can be too big and we need to get the car to tarmac.”
Not difficult too see what the team is up against as the smell of engines over-heating and burnt-out clutches filled the air at a number of the more tricky spots.
“It’s a lot of stress on the cars and we have to be there to help.”
Desert love affair
Bouncing along the top of a dune you see her smile before anything else.
Radio blasting, driving gloves pulled tight, 66-year-old Marie-France Boylan turned heads along the 200 kilometre Gulf News Fun Drive route as she opted for only the more challenging slopes.
“I prefer to take the difficult route and my friends like to stay on the tracks,” said Boylan, a French teacher from Dubai.
“I end up losing them because I just have to find my own way.”
Driving solo in her trusty red Pajero [and not the new model] Boylan’s love affair with the desert began after she lost the only real love of her life.
“I became a widow in 2002 and I really lost my way,” she said, her pink-tinted wrap-around sunglasses reflecting in the sun.
“I started heading into the desert to drive. It gave me time to think and reflect. Before I knew it I discovered another love for driving and also for the desert. It has been the thing which grounds me.
“I love it out here. There really is nothing better.”
A regular on the dunes, Boylan had packed her comprehensive camping pack and was all set for a night under the stars.
Boylan left her home country of France and moved to the UAE in 1971. Life took her to a number of countries in between and she eventually settled in the UAE for a second time in 2000.
One of just a handful of female drivers taking the opportunity to dune bash Boylan had one message for the ladies.
“Get out there and have a go,” she said.
“There is nothing a man can do that we can’t when it comes to taking on the dunes. Have the confidence to see the world from a totally different perspective.”
Inspiring a new generation
The adrenalin-fuelled excitement was over-flowing as Flag Off for the 29th annual Gulf News Fun Drive crept closer.
However, nobody captured the spirit of the drive better than the little ones who were literally bursting at the seams.
“I can’t wait until we start,” said 11-year-old Ashlesha Patale. “The best thing is trying to spot the wildlife. I really hope we see lots of animals today.”
Hurriedly gathering breakfast from the buffet along with her identical twin sister Ashana and cousin Kavyaa Modak, 8, Ashlesha helped her mother gather the route map and goody bags.
All dressed in pink the girls, ready for their second Gulf News Fun Drive, said they were also excited to see if their dad would get stuck.
“It’s fun when you get stuck but it’s funnier to see other people get stuck too,” laughed Delhi Private School pupil Kavyaa.
The twins who attend the Indian High School said they hoped they would be able to help their mother and father read the map so they wouldn’t get lost.
