Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2014

Gulf News

Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2014. More than 900 cars tackled the 209.5 kilometre journey through sand and steep slopes during the 2014 Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv

Transcript

00:00It was an early start for off-road enthusiasts on Friday morning, as around 2,500 people

00:13gathered at the Emirates Motorplex in Umm al Quwain to take part in the 33rd annual

00:18Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive.

00:21Participants lined up to check in, enjoy a tasty breakfast and prepare for the drive

00:26ahead.

00:27It's my sixth year with Gulf News Fun Drive.

00:31Every year it's getting better and better, new routes.

00:34It's always a lot of, it's quite exciting, always.

00:40It's a little quest, once a year, and you wait for it for the whole year, and finally

00:45it's here.

00:46So, let's enjoy.

00:47I've been in the UAE since 2001, and we've been on the Fun Drive ever since.

00:52And we enjoy it, and it's a nice family occasion as well.

00:55It's great, well-organized.

00:57Second time driving the Fun Drive, it should be good fun.

01:00We've been here last year, we enjoyed it very much, so we expect a great day today.

01:05I'm expecting something like a surprise here in the desert, so I'm looking forward to do

01:10that one actually.

01:11This is my first year, I've been in Dubai six months.

01:14It's just some fun in the desert, lots of cars, lots of sand, lots of dust, it's a good

01:20day.

01:21The two cars were flagged off at the start of the drive, and eagerly took to the desert

01:24to test their driving skills in the dunes.

01:35The route covered 209 kilometers through Umm al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah, and Sharjah.

01:42Seasoned drivers took every opportunity to flaunt their skills and conquer steep dunes.

01:49While tricky slopes and loose sands left many participants practicing their digging.

01:55Marshals and fellow drivers were on hand to assist any cars that got buried too deep.

02:01Getting stuck in the sand was all part of the experience, along with admiring beautiful

02:06desert landscapes and enjoying a day out with friends and family.

02:09Although a few desert characters weren't sure what all the fuss was about, most were happy

02:14to be out having fun in the sun.

02:19I'm so enjoying the time here, it's really nice and the weather is good as well.

02:24It's great, it's great, really having fun, it's very nice.

02:27It's good, it's good, this is the fifth time I'm doing it, and it's fun, it's fun, you

02:33get to meet different people, you get to see fantastic vehicles, that's beautiful, that's

02:37the best part of the fun time.

02:39After a full day of ups and downs, participants headed to base camp, where friends and families

02:43came together to reminisce over the day's events, setting in to enjoy a buffet dinner

02:48and take in the evening's activities.

02:50It was great, it was challenging, exciting, it's a new route, new experience, well fun

03:01as always I guess, good stuff.

03:04This morning's dune bashing, just getting here has been quite adventurous, it's been

03:09a challenge.

03:10It was really, really adventurous and it was a big challenge to be honest, I think some

03:15of the new beginners might not even make it.

03:17The track was very, very messy and at the same time it was quite difficult to be honest,

03:24but we made it through and I'm glad.

03:26The tracks were tough and everything was organised very well and it was really good fun.

03:32It was extremely well organised, marshals were everywhere, the track was really clear,

03:38people were behaving extremely well, they were enjoying actually their time, it was

03:42very safe, very fun and the scenery was just amazing.

03:46And then I think the final surprise was the camp, nice tents, amenities, fresh water,

03:53fresh juice, music, so we loved it actually and definitely next year she will be driving.

03:59I did the first one in 1997, there were just 75 participants, it was lovely, but even today's

04:07day was very, very exciting, the dunes were perfect, we saw lots of cars, couldn't make

04:12it.

04:13Yeah, I tried on one of the particular slopes, I just couldn't make it, but no complaints,

04:17it's a great day and I'm going to have lots of fun tonight.

04:21At the end of the day, the 2014 Golf News Overnighter Fun Drive was a fun-filled ride

04:26for all involved.

04:28Jay Lenton for Golf News.

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