The 34th installment of the Gulf News Fun Drive thrills participants

Gulf News

The Gulf News Fun Drive saw 850 vehicles and 2500 participants brave the desert sands of the UAE. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv

Transcript

00:00The 34th edition of the Gulf News Fun Drive took place on January 9th and the turnout

00:11for the overnight dune bashing extravaganza was immense.

00:16850 off-road vehicles carrying 2,500 people gathered in the early morning hours at the

00:22Emirates Motorplex in Umm Al Quwain to enjoy a light breakfast before lining up at the

00:26flag off to begin their desert adventure.

00:29I came with my three daughters and wife, family.

00:33What are you guys looking forward to?

00:35Oh, an exciting drive.

00:37Last time was difficult.

00:39Really?

00:40Yeah.

00:41You think this time will be easier?

00:42Hope so.

00:43It's improving every time, it keeps getting difficult.

00:49The route is tremendous and all those who actually finish the route, we have a very

00:56exciting program at the campsite.

00:59The fun drive is monitored by 80 marshals.

01:02These men and women are experienced drivers who are placed throughout the course to ensure

01:06participants are safe and moving in the right direction.

01:09Drivers made their way through nine checkpoints over a 160-kilometer track guided by an experienced

01:14convoy leader.

01:15We control the pace from the front, make sure that people get through safely and they enjoy

01:20it.

01:21For us, it's a huge responsibility.

01:23Look, we're the two convoy leaders and we've got 600 cars going to be following us in one

01:27form or another, so we've got to get it right.

01:29So a bit of pressure.

01:31Hopefully these guys will behave and enjoy it.

01:36That's all it is.

01:46With these kind of soft terrain, you should go to 4L and then they can climb up.

01:51And it's very easy.

01:52I think around 50 cars have just spun it like this.

01:55We just tell them to change the gears.

02:03Each section had different obstacles from loose sandy inclines to steep dunes that challenged

02:07all skill levels.

02:52After a long day in the desert, participants arrived at base camp where they pitched tents,

02:58relaxed and shared their experiences.

03:00It was kind of fun.

03:01And I have to say the marshals were really helpful.

03:04I got stuck like three times and the third one was really bad.

03:09But they were pros.

03:10Like they could come and like any situation, they can really pull you off.

03:14And this year, the fun drive was also very good.

03:17It was really fun actually.

03:19First, it's easy.

03:21The last one, it's difficult.

03:24Very difficult.

03:25Very good.

03:26Very, very good.

03:27Excellent.

03:28And I look for more of such fun trips.

03:32Golf News Fun Drive 2015!

03:37After an action-packed day, the 2015 Golf News Fun Drive left participants exhilarated

03:42and looking forward to next year's big event.

03:44Logan Fish for Golf News.

03:49www.golfnews.com

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