Gulf News Fun Drive 2025: A drive etched in memory

Hundreds of participants took part in the 43rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive – the Tilal Swaihan Experience, as avid off-roaders successfully navigated the Al Ain dunes

Families relax under ghaf trees during the 43rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive.

Participants drive past camels during the 43rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive.

Nasser Omar Al Braiki, Member of Higher Committee of Tilal Swaihan, and Marclino Fernandes, COO of Gulf News, cut the Fun Drive cake along with Sunny Bhat, Director of Sales and Marketing, Great Wall Motor; Shiva Kumar, GWM Divisional Head from Al Naboodah group, and Mohammad Imran,

Zubair Ahmed and Aslam Ali

Steve Auckland, CEO of Gulf News with Marclino Fernandes, Chief Operating Officer and Lavkesh Grover, Deputy Manager -HR of Gulf News during the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2025 at Tilal Swaihan.

Seasoned campaigners have given a thumbs up to the new tracks and changes made to the route in the 43rd Fun Drive. It’s a vindication of the efforts of race director John Spiller, who made modifications to the tracks to offer a new experience to the participants. “Yes, the new route is awesome. We are having a great time,” said riders from two off-roading groups who are smashing the dunes in their buggies.

From left: Mohammed Shashan, Danilli Nakano, Karim Haggag, Solmaz Albayrah, Gokce Beydag, Erkal Albayrak, Ahmet Beydag and Sara Al Zaabi.

Moulay, Chan, Nuraya, Omar, Adam, Jamila, Salimia

Mohammed Abu Jalala, Mohammed Khatib, Hashel Almheiri, Yosuf, Abdel Rehman and Osama.

Abdul Jalees, Mumtaj Begum, Fawha and Fatin

Akbar and Mohammed Ameer.

Team Vikings from Dubai enjoy during the Gulf News Fun Drive 2025.

Virginia Szum and Mohammed Al Shamsi.

Tharun Surya, Mahati Rudravaram and Rahul T.

Radha Krishna, Sahul Phani, Paramesh Kongara and Ravi Verma.

Muhammad Imran, Shiva Kumar and Prasanna Shetty.

Lijo Lingson and Tosi Yesudas.

Jaffar Ali and Dr Parveen Banu.

Lakshmana Rao, Jakka, Eeshika Jakka, Sathvik Jakka and Sheetal Jakka.

Salman Yasin, Big Yasin and Luqman Yasin.

Dowlath Anwaruddin, Mansoor Khan and Marwa Fatima.

Sultan Mohamed Alameeri, Mohamed Sultan Alameeri and Yousef Mohamed.

Moulay Alaoui ,Adam Alaoui, Nuraya Alaoui ,Chan Alaoui , Salima Alaoui and Ibrahim Alaoui.

Nishan Lentian, Zayed Bin Ghareeb and Younis Alhammadi.

Hashim Saad and Saaduddin Ahmed.

Muhammad Sheikh, Muhammad Awais and Moazzam Sheikh.

Hamdan Meer, Abdul Hakeem Meer and Fatima Meer.