Dubai 24hr Race

Last weekend we finally got to watch a race event at the Autodrome. Big race weekends are few and far between and unfortunately we have had to miss those that have been on due to our own schedule. It was quite a sight to see 72 (Jake's count) cars lined up together. The racing was exciting and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We got to see the pit and paddock area, watched the start and then came back at night to see some more.

It was amazing watching the racing at night. We picked up pizza's on the way and then parked by the terraces really close to the action. That area was pitch black (except for the headlights whizzing past) and almost deserted. It was quite surreal and heaps of fun. The boys loved it. The night was freezing cold (Dubai standards) so we were rugged up and wrapped in blankets. The chill began to creep in eventually and we returned home just before midnight. We missed the fireworks, didn't know about them, so that was a bummer. We could, however, see the fireworks for home and could hear the cars in the distance all night, that was kinda nice.


This panorama is very rough, just taken from the stands, but I thought it would give you an idea of what it was like.

Jake has a mini Rugby tournament this weekend against the usual rivals Abu Dhabi. Scott was supposed to be racing but that has been cancelled. The organisation of events for Karting is just about non-existent. The Exiles Rugby club is great, it's so well organised.
Scott also has an upcoming trial desert camp for the Duke of Edinborough Award. We have had no word about that either. What's the bet that they will both happen on the same weekend!

Regarding the Karting, Scott has come to a big decision about that. Scott will move up into the seniors class starting from his next race (whenever that is). As he is almost 16 he had the choice and because the Junior class was usually very small last year he has decided to move up. So he now has a new engine and the old one has been modified back into a senior for a spare. Of course, I would really have preferred him to stick with the juniors, it would be less dangerous and he would have easily picked up his share of trophies and prize money.
Scott, however, sees it differently. He is keen to better himself and is happy to be scrapping it out with the seniors, his reward is his own improvement and he would rather give up those easy podiums for the better competition.
That's great in theory, I'm still going to be a worried mess hovering in the background.

The changing face of Dubai in the background. Ski Dubai is located at a new mall. Mall of the Emirates is where I do my shopping every week.

The pre-start time is a real media circus, we had a good vantage point from the grandstand.I think these two are considering an upgrade on the Kart!


There was a drift racing demo, the boys were impressed! We were pit side and didn't have a great view.

I hpoe you like the new look of my blog, I spent ages trying to figure out how to go about putting a new heading up. I think it looks pretty good for a first attempt.

I have also started to list some blogs and web sites that I visit. You might find some of them interesting, just click on them, there is a little bit of everything and I will add to it over time.

Yikes - Happy New Year

I can't believe it's so far into the New Year already! We had a very quiet New Years Eve, managed to stay up and watch the fireworks show over at the fairground (Global Village to the Dubai folks) it was spectacular as always, it's on every night and somehow just seems to keep getting better! It's a short distance away so we get to see most of it from our house.
After New Year we all had another weeks holiday. Now the boys have been back at school for a week and all the activities and extra lessons have started up as well.
Jake is playing rugby for his school as well as the rugby club. Scott is doing quite a bit for his "Duke of Edinborough" bronze award. He will be helping out with the local Scout group and he also has sports and of course Kart racing.
So it's all go around here for 2007.

This photo was taken by Jake on New Years day. I like to think that the tourists here were as happy as we were that Scott finally got up on his board. Scott was struggling a bit but he is also very determined. Jake and I were chatting to some professional surfers out here from California to make a film of surfing in the U.A.E. and Oman, unfortunately this day the surf was very small. Jake was using my camera and took loads of photos of them and only this one of Scott!

In the background you can see sand being laid down for a new island (part of "The World" I think)

I have a few more photos from this weekend, we have been down to the Dubai Autodrome to see the 24hr Race, it's a big event with around 72 starters. Porshes and the like, mainly European cars. I will post those later this evening if all goes well. Time to get some more chores done, our week starts on Sunday so I had better get organised!

More Balloon Photos

These were all taken from our upstairs balcony at around 7am on Wednesday. I was still in my nightie and it was freezing. I was so pleased to get such great views, the breeze on last two mornings has taken the balloons in different directions (over the city and into the desert). Today is the last day, they will do a "night glow" but I'm not sure that we will want to join the crowds to see it. It will be very crowded because it's Eid Al Adha (major Muslim occasion and holiday weekend). I hope you are all having a nice restful holiday.