Anyone arriving in Dubai via the city’s airport in Terminal 3 will no doubt notice that, on the exit doors before the arrivals hall, there’s an enormous advert for various attractions that either have already been and gone or are yet to happen. Right bang in the centre is one for Dubai Motor Festival 2014. Another week, another festival – so what?
Cars, that’s what, and lots of them. The DMF – as it’s come to be known – started in 2013 and incorporated the city’s biennial motor show along with a whole host of other attractions, including the headline grabbing Grand Car Parade, which featured hundreds of “unique” cars and motorcycles cruising around some of Dubai’s best known landmarks in a convoy led by the police force’s own world-famous fleet. It’s back again this year, with the intention that it’s a firm fixture on the calendar now, either with or without the motor show – the next of which is still a year away.
So what can we expect and, more to the point, will it be worth attending? The good news is that, according to organisers, there will be something to appeal to everyone and the various attractions will take place at different venues and on different dates. Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) announced last week that the festival is to run from November 19 to December 6, kicking off with the Infiniti F1 Showrun. This will be a live demonstration by the Red Bull F1 drivers Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo of the team’s RB7 race car, as well as Infiniti’s Q50 Eau Rouge concept sports saloon, held at Skydive Dubai.
Something any of us can experience will take place on November 21, 22, 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6: a new supercar taxi service. We’re still not sure exactly how this will operate, but the premise is that 10 supercars and luxury motors will be offering free, one-way rides from various landmarks, malls and the airport. So if you want to know what it’s like to travel in a Ferrari, Lamborghini or a Rolls-Royce, you may well get a chance for free.
On November 28, Meydan Racecourse will be transformed into “Motor Village”, which DTCM describes as “a fascinating world of motoring entertainment as it plays host to an elaborate line-up of activities”. These will include the return of the Red Bull Car Park Drift finals, where spectators will be able to witness some spectacular competing for the “King of Drift” crown, as well as something called “Dubizzle Live”. It’s described as “an incredible mix of cars, live music, interactive games and competitions with plenty of giveaways on the day”. Attendees will also be able to “experience F1 simulators, learn about motoring safety and be able to view up close some of the most exclusive motoring brands”. Plus, there will be events to tie in with the UAE’s National Day celebrations.
As if all that isn’t enough, an “Inspired Light by Infiniti QX70S” show will take place – the first of its kind in history. What’s involved? No idea. Infiniti’s top brass is evidently excited by it all, but we suspect that the main draw on the day will still be the Grand Parade, which culminates at Meydan. If all goes to plan, it will feature more than 50 different marques and set a new world record in the process. It should be worth heading to Meydan just to wander around the car park.
On November 29, the 36th Dubai International Rally hits the ground – the final and deciding round of the 2014 FIA Middle East Rally Championship. The event has been organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE since 1997.
After an official starting ceremony in Dubai, the rally will kick off in earnest the following morning when competitors start the first of two legs of competitive stages through the desert.
It's still in its infancy, but it does look like the Dubai Motor Festival is here to stay – and that's a good thing in our book. For more information on timings and locations, visit www.motorfestival.ae.
khackett@thenational.ae
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