DUBAI // Car enthusiasts are sure to be driven wild this weekend when some flashy motors turn heads in Dubai.
More than 500 of the UAE’s privately owned super and luxury cars and bikes will take part in the inaugural Dubai Grand Parade on Friday.
The total value of the vehicles is anticipated to reach more than Dh500 million.
The spectacle is part of the debut Dubai Motor Festival – a week-long motoring extravaganza held in conjunction with Dubai International Motor Show, running at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Saturday.
The parade includes more than 350 brands and models, such as Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati, Shelby Super Cars, Harley Davidson and Ducati.
It will initially be led by the 2013 Formula One constructors champion Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One Car, from the starting point at Trade Centre Roundabout on Sheikh Zayed Road to the first interchange, before Dubai Police's fleet of green and white supercars head the parade through the remainder of the route.
Participating cars include an exclusive Lamborghini Murcielago LPO640, a Range Rover Sport decorated with UAE dirham coins, a Swarovski crystal-encrusted Hummer H2, a vintage Saxon dating back to 1912 and a 1972 Land Rover 88.
The 4x4 was typically parachuted into missions by British Military Airborne Forces. It was purchased in 2001 by Dubai resident, Clive Geisler.
He said: “The car has been in the region since the early 80s and was first registered in Dubai back in 1986.
“It was derelict when I bought it but we stripped it down to every last nut and bolt and replaced all the faulty parts – everything from fuel tanks and cylinder heads to the carburettor. The parade will be its first outing since the restoration so we’re really excited to get her back on the road.”
One of the best-represented manufacturers is Ferrari, with 76 cars taking part.
The convoy will embark on a 45-kilometre tour of Sheikh Zayed Road and beyond, passing several of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks including Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai during an hour-long route ending at DWTC.
The public can watch at two Spectator Zones at Madinat Jumeirah, where the cars are expected at 3.15pm, and Downtown Dubai where they are expected at 3.30pm.
Spectators can get up close to the vehicles at the post-Parade Car Gallery, which opens at DWTC from 5pm.
ecleland@thenational.ae
