Overnight drive promises fun for novices and veterans

Dubai: This year's Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive, which takes place next Friday and Saturday, January 15 and 16, follows an extremely challenging route from Umm Al Quwain to Dubai.

But organisers say the route — 95 per cent of it on sand, and featuring some high dunes — will give novices an excellent chance to hone their off-road skills, as well as providing a challenge to experienced desert drivers.

Registration opened on Wednesday, and 300 applications had arrived by the end of the working day.

Registration is open at the Gulf News office on Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai, from 9am to 2pm every day, and at the Gulf News offices in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain between 9am and 2pm on working days only.

Registration will close as soon as the 750 available places are filled.

Rates are Dh300 per adult and Dh175 per child.

The fun drive is being held with the support of the Emirates Motor Sports Federation

The first car will leave the UAE Motorplex, Umm Al Quwain, at 7.15am on Friday January 15, on an eight-hour drive to reach the campsite in Dubai.

"I have learnt that the route chalked out for this year's Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive is going to be tricky, which is what going to make the event fun as well as adventurous," said Mohammad Fareed Ahli, a Dubai-based Emirati who has registered himself and his friends for for the second consecutive year.

"Driving on sand is not new for me but there is something thrilling about the Gulf News Fun Drive. The fun atmosphere, the organisation, the entertainment lined up at the camp and the security at the site makes it hassle free. The camping is really something I am looking forward to. It is really nice."

Nida Khokhar, a Dubai-based resident and Gulf News subscriber, had just handed over her entry form for the event is participating for the first time.

Lot of fun

She said: "It sounds a lot of fun. My aunt, who participated in the event last year, had so many good things to say about it and that kind off encouraged me to register my family.

"I had gone camping before in Egypt but this will be my first overnighter. I just hope that my entry forms make it to the selected list.

"I made sure to mention in the entry form that I am Gulf News subscriber. This is because I learnt that preference is given to subscribers."

Every Overnighter Fun Drive has had 750 cars participating. In response to an overwhelming demand for more off road events, Gulf News started organising the Friday Fun Drive. This Fun Drive is the 29th in this series.

Ramkumar, a Dubai resident and Gulf News subscriber, will be travelling abroad soon — but not before confirming a return ticket so he can take part in the Fun Drive.

He said: "I will be taking a nine-hour flight at night to make sure that I reach home in Dubai before the crack of dawn so that I can participate in the Fun Drive with my family.

"There is no way that I am going to give this event a miss.

"The weather is also perfect to go camping. It's a family event and that is what I like ab out it more — not to forget the excellent security cover provided by the marshals."

Khurshid Husain, a Dubai resident and Gulf News subscriber, didn't make it onto the list last year, but hopes to be lucky this year.

He said: "One of my colleagues at work emailed me a picture of Gulf News' reception area that showed people busy filling up the entry forms for the Fun Drive and wrote a note that read: ‘Do you recognise anyone here?'

"The picture featured the colleague who had also registered for the event. I thought to myself that I ought to go down and sign for it too."

Naheed Patel, promotions manager at Gulf News, said that 50 per cent of the allocation is already complete.

She said: "All the hard work and the effort that went in organising such an event is worth it when we have our subscribers and other interested individuals showing enthusiasm and interest."

Corporate support

Al Futtaim Motors - Toyota are the main sponsors of the event, just as they have been over the last 20 years. Checkpoints are sponsored by Toyota, AXA, Dubai Duty Free, Coleman, Samsung and Bridgestone.

The Fun Drive numbers and the goody bags are being provided by Emirates NBD. The Wheel Covers are sponsored by Communications. It is supported by Al Kabeer, Oasis, Lipton, Saudi Snack Food -Pepsico, V-Kool, Multilink, Alco and Byrne.

Catering is provided by Emirates Flight Catering and Jebel Ali Hotel.

The event is also supported by the UAE Motorplex, UAQ and Emirates Motor Sports Federation.

Have your say
Are you planning any fun drives this winter? What are your favourite areas? Tell us.