07 Dec 2006
Dubai: The Gulf News 26th Fun Drive gets under way tomorrow, with 400 cars taking part in a 160km desert-crossing taking in sand dunes, wadis, remote farms and villages.
The event will start following breakfast at the Nad Al Sheba Club and end with a barbecue at the Hatta Fort Hotel, on a route that traverses some terrain unchartered on previous Fun Drives.
"The route is what every off-roader dreams of. It is a superb mix of challenging dunes, wadis and scenic mountain areas," Duleep George, Gulf News marketing and sales director, said.
George also took the opportunity to remind all participants about the importance of safety precautions as well as ensuring "respect for the environment and the rules of the desert".
Organisers reminded drivers to fully prepare their vehicles, ensuring they have a full tank of petrol and a first aid kit. A recovery team, headed by Hamad Ali Al Mazroui, Managing Director, International Automobile and Touring Club (IATC), will be on standby in case of breakdowns.
Flag-off from Nad Al Sheba will commence at 7am and the first cars are expected to reach the Hatta Fort Hotel at around 1pm.
The Gulf News Fun Drive was launched in 1986 with only 75 vehicles taking part.
Fun Drive checkpoints are sponsored by Al Futtaim Motors-Toyota, Axa Insurance, Bridgestone, Coleman, Dubai Duty Free, Lacnor and Nokia-Techmart.
Support sponsors include PlayStationPortable, Jeenan Pasta, ETA Star Property Developers, Mirchi-Indian Restaurant, Gulfa Mineral Water, Zee Arabiya, Lipton, Emirates Bank, Nad Al Sheba and Hatta Fort Hotel. The Fun Drive is also being held with the support of the Emirates Motor Sports Federation.
By Zoi Constantine
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
