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
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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