Dubai Motor Festival reaches finish line in style

Dubai - 600-car convoy vrooms past iconic Dubai landmarks on final day.

The 12-day Dubai Motor Festival came to a spectacular finish on Saturday with an enormous 'Grand Parade' of over 600 cars zooming past some of the emirate's most iconic landmarks.
The mammoth cavalcade of cars included examples of some of the latest model supercars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin and Maserati, as well as vintage, classic and custom-built models, and even the famous supercar fleet of the Dubai Police.
A total of 17 different car clubs were represented, and people from 48 nations took part in the festival.
"We have been delighted with the fantastic response from the public to the 2015 Dubai Motor Festival, and have welcomed thousands of motoring enthusiasts to Meydan over the weekend," said Jin Chwen Ong, director of Dubai Motor Festival.
"The number of people enjoying our wide range of vehicle parades, on-site entertainment and motoring action has been our largest number to date, and is a fantastic way to celebrate our third edition of this spectacular event."
Beginning at Meydan, the motorcade drove along Meydan Street, Al Khail Road, Financial Centre Street and Al Saada Street before swinging onto the Shaikh Zayed Road, through the Financial District and past Emirates Towers and the Burj Khalifa before heading back to Meydan via the Shaikh Mohammed Boulevard, Ras Al Khor Road and the Dubai-Al Ain Road.
During the parade, Khaleej Times joined Fabio Davoli, an Italian expat and airline pilot driving a 2006 Aston Martin DB9.
"I've been looking forward to this parade. It's always nice to try new things," he said. "It's nice to come with other members of the Aston Martin club and participate and see all the cars."
Davoli added that Dubai is the perfect place for automobile enthusiasts such as himself. "When I moved to Dubai, I realised that this was a place where I could realise my dream of buying an Aston Martin," Davoli said along the drive. "They're cheaper here than in Europe. I haven't regretted it for a minute. I more than like my car; I love my car.
Additionally, Davoli noted that he found driving in the convoy - which sometimes found itself mixed up in civilian traffic - a bit more nerve-wracking than he'd anticipated.
Another participant, Ferrari 575 driver Lorenz Eljed, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"It was the first time I've seen such a gathering of cars, and it will only get better every year as people become more experienced."
The event - which was organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment - also included a "drift academy" and motorsport race car rides for the public.
Additionally, a number of competitions were held, including a 'Marques d'Elegance' award and an award for the best National Day-decorated car, which was won by a black Jeep festooned with UAE flags and complete with a person dressed in a furry camel costume.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com