Navigating their way through mud and narrow tracks in the mountains, 37 off-road drivers competed against each other in Sulaimaniyah, in Iraq's Kurdistan region. All photos: Reuters
Navigating their way through mud and narrow tracks in the mountains, 37 off-road drivers competed against each other in Sulaimaniyah, in Iraq's Kurdistan region. All photos: Reuters
Letting off steam and testing their upgraded vehicles, the drivers came from all over Iraq's Kurdish region to participate in the off-road racing festival that rewarded the best with medals.
Letting off steam and testing their upgraded vehicles, the drivers came from all over Iraq's Kurdish region to participate in the off-road racing festival that rewarded the best with medals.
A member of the public watching said: "We came here as fans, to this festival in Sulaimaniyah. It is a nice festival, we enjoyed watching it. Some groups [of drivers] joined from Sulaimaniyah, Erbil, Halabja, Haji Awa. They all came. And many fans came from Dohuk, Sulaimaniyah and Erbil."
A member of the public watching said: "We came here as fans, to this festival in Sulaimaniyah. It is a nice festival, we enjoyed watching it. Some groups [of drivers] joined from Sulaimaniyah, Erbil, Halabja, Haji Awa. They all came. And many fans came from Dohuk, Sulaimaniyah and Erbil."
Sponsored by the British Silverhook Engine oil company, which prepared the sinuous tracks, the festival was acclaimed by audiences and drivers as the largest off-road racing gathering in recent years. "This adventure needs an upgraded car, you can’t get a normal car and say I will join, you have to fully upgrade the engine, the gear, and tires. It is very expensive and we cover all the costs, we don't receive any support," said driver Ako Kamal.
Sponsored by the British Silverhook Engine oil company, which prepared the sinuous tracks, the festival was acclaimed by audiences and drivers as the largest off-road racing gathering in recent years. "This adventure needs an upgraded car, you can’t get a normal car and say I will join, you have to fully upgrade the engine, the gear, and tires. It is very expensive and we cover all the costs, we don't receive any support," said driver Ako Kamal.
Not all cars made it to the end of the track, as some had to be towed away, "but we are like brothers in this game", Kamal said. The festival had four tracks, the most difficult of which encompassed a muddy terrain.
Not all cars made it to the end of the track, as some had to be towed away, "but we are like brothers in this game", Kamal said. The festival had four tracks, the most difficult of which encompassed a muddy terrain.

MENA

Off-road racing gains traction in Iraqi Kurdistan - in pictures

Motoring aficionados in Iraqi Kurdistan upgrade their vehicles to increase performance in the mountains during adventurous competitions

The National

March 21, 2022

  • English
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Family reunited

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.

She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.

She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.

The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.

She was held in her native country a year later.

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

Updated: March 21, 2022, 9:16 AM
PhotographyIraq