Action-packed weekend of motoring in UAE
Choice of spectacular car and bike-based activities and events this 40th National Day weekend!
By Shahzad Sheikh
Petrolhead-heaven! That’s what we’re dubbing the UAE this weekend. Apart from all the amazing cars driving around the UAE at the moment, decked out in the vibrant colours of the flag and all manner of amazing decorations from sparkly stars to very expensive crystals, there’s a host of special events also taking place.
We tell you what to see and do, where and when this 40th National Day Holiday weekend.
Emirates Classic Car Show on Emaar Boulevard
Thursday 1st Dec (opening ceremony 2.30pm) to Saturday 3rd December
Held on the pavements of this major street in Downtown Dubai, this a free exhibition of beautiful classic cars. In its 4th year, it also includes prize-giving for the best in class cars. The show is organized in in association with the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development; the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE) – the official representative of FIVA; the ‘Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens’ – the world-wide authority for historic vehicles.
The awards ceremony will be at 2.30pm on Friday, 2nd December. Go on Saturday and there’ll also be a National Day parade with specially themed floats on Emaar Boulevard at 3:30pm.
Chevrolet’s sponsoring this event as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations, and our friend Todd Stermer’s Corvair will be up for an award – make sure you give him your vote!
More details here http://www.atcuae.ae/classic-cars-events.aspx
Dubai International Rally
Thursday 1st Dec to Saturday 3rd December
Ceremonial start for the Rally will be on Emaar Boulevard in Dubai (same place as the Classic Car show) at 7:30pm with cars gathering from 4:00pm.
The ceremonial finish and prize giving will be at the same place at 4:30pm on Saturday 3rd December.
If you want to go and watch the fast and furious action of the rally itself, leg one runs just off the E55 (behind Big Red on the E44, Dubai-Hatta road) up to the E102 Sharjah-Kalba road. Day 2 action will be near Al Dhaid further along the E55.
All the details can be found at http://dir.atcuae.ae/
Emirates Motor Sport Federation (EMSF) Special Forces car and bike parade
Saturday 3rd December from The Heritage Village, Al-Shindagha in Dubai (near the tunnel) to Sharjah University
The parade includes Armed Forces vehicles, cars, classic cars, modified cars and bikes with everyone gathering at 2:30pm and the starting off at 3:30pm.
The event is free to participate in but you need to register in advance by calling 04-2827111 or email to emsf@eim.ae or hhb1974@gmail.com. Also check out Emirates Motor Sport Federation on Facebook.
Ferrari Parade Friday
2nd December from Union House to Jumeirah Beach Road (JBR) from 9.30am
The UAE Ferrari club will be out in force with around 40-50 of the famous prancing horses taking part in a special commemorative parade in association with the Dubai Community Development Authority.
The cars will head to JBR and four around noon, and that’ll be a good place to catch them. Plus it’s where you can expect to see a lot of cars cruising and celebrating the UAE National Day!
World Guinness Record attempt at making the UAE flag with classic cars
3rd December, Sharjah Classic Cars Club and Museum
They’ll be trying to achieve a Guinness World Record attempt at the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum by getting together the largest number of cars built before 1980 to create the UAE flag. We hear cars not the right colour will be repainted with water-soluble colouring.
UAE 5th Ladies Unity Drive
2nd December, starts 7.30am at the Flag Post on Abu Dhabi Corniche, ends between 4-9pm on the Ajman Corniche
In association with the Ministry of Interiors, this strictly ladies-only car parade will take in all Seven Emirates of the UAE with a theme this year related to recycling. See www.uaeunitydrive.com for more details.
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY EVENTS WE’VE MISSED FOR THIS WEEKEND?! SEND US THE DETAILS THEN!
Email now: MME@MotoringME.com!
