Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive 2014. More than 900 off-road enthusiasts 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
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00:00It was an early start for off-road enthusiasts on Friday morning, as more than 900 people
00:13gathered at the Emirates Motorplex in Umal, Quayne to take part in the 33rd annual Golf
00:18News 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 the Golf News Fun Drive.
00:31Every year it's getting better and better, new routes.
00:34It's always a lot of excitement, 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, so let's enjoy.
00:47I've been in the UAE since 2001, and we've been on the Fun Drive ever since, and we enjoy
00:52it, and it's a nice family occasion as well, it'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.
01:15Just some fun in the desert, lots of cars, lots of sand, lots of dust, it's a good day.
01:20Hundreds of cars were flagged off at the start of the drive, and eagerly took to the desert
01:25to test their driving skills in the dunes.
01:35The route covered 209km through Umm al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah.
01:41Seasoned 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.
02:32You get to meet different people, you get to see fantastic vehicles, that's beautiful,
02:36that's the 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, settling in to enjoy a buffet dinner
02:48and take in the evening's activities.
02:55It 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.
03:14I think some of 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,
03:37people 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.