DUBAI // It’s not every day you see two cars drive into the sea for a race.
So the spectacle at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah on Tuesday had dozens of curious beach visitors rushing for smartphones to record it.
In a show that was part of the Dubai Motor Festival, the two amphibious cars had onlookers enthralled.
The cars resemble Jeeps but change into boats when the wheels are raised in the water.
Their drivers had a brief race, hitting speeds of about 80kph, before putting on a stunt show.
The vehicles are part of a collection of eight belonging to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
“This is the first time we’ve ever had a race involving amphibious cars and I think it was a wonderful event,” said Abdullah bin Humaidan, from the Crown Prince’s office.
The event was organised as part of the 12-day festival, now in its third year, that ends on Saturday at Motor Village in Meydan.
“We strive to find the most unique activities each year at the Dubai Motor Festival and I think with this amazing spectacle, we’ve set the bar pretty high,” said Jin Chwen Ong, festival director.
“Our aim is to surprise and delight, and the excitement of seeing the cars emerge from the water off The Palm was incredible, and the perfect precursor to what’s still to come at this year’s Dubai Motor Festival.”
Exotic cars and supercars are on display at the festival and there will be a parade on Saturday.
For more information visit motorfestival.ae.
nhanif@thenational.ae
