Once a month, A receives a message on his BlackBerry reminding him that there is a full moon.
For the people of Al Gharbia, a full moon means it is time to race.
"I'm living here seven years, I didn't see anything change," said A, 36, a father from Saudi Arabia who did not want to be identified. "Every weekend they are doing illegal drag racing. Two people died in January. "
People are notified through BlackBerry messenger or Facebook, and the event attracts men of all ages. The full moon means they can easily navigate to a desert meeting point away from the eyes of the police.
Prizes are put forward by a patron: wheels, mobile phones, electronics. Each race has different tricks, like drifting, doughnuts or balancing on two wheels.
"They come from Abu Dhabi, they come from Buraimi, they come from Al Ain," said A. "It's known for all. I know some people, their mothers are calling them every time, 'Where are you? Who are you sitting with'?"
azacharias@thenational.ae
