Hill Climb - M.E. style

To westerners, much of the Middle Eastern region is mystery. However, in some respects the Arabs are just like us. Trust me. Given the time and money they will build anything and will want to go fast too.

Take for example Aldar Properties' construction of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. It was built partly as an investment vehicle, and partly in the spirit of "hoyamal", which gives meaning and purpose to the promise of nation building. During the drag racing festival, people come from everywhere in the region to compete in the sport. And like us, to gain an edge, they employ the services of the best in the business. Ok, we don't quite have their purchasing power, but you get the idea.

In a landmark partnership, drag racing legend Don Schumacher was hired by the Yas Marina Circuit to compete with two NHRA Top Fuel dragsters in Abu Dhabi and raise the bar there, along with the crucial knowledge-transfer. 

Sheikh Khalid behind the wheel of
his Pro Extreme '68 Camaro 

Another route taken is that of Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani of Qatar, who with his Al-Anabi Racing (USA) was just crowned 2011 NHRA Top Fuel Champion with Del Worsham at the wheel. Sheikh Khalid, obviously a petrol-head himself, not only is the financial backer of the ADRL, but he competes in the racing series as well, winning several events. With the Qatar Race Club, sheikh Khalid created in Doha, Qatar, a state-of-the art racing facility that competes with the Yas for supremacy in the gulf region.

One more similarity between us is the constant need for competition. To us westeners, a "Hill Climb" is a competition on asphalt or dirt up a mountain. To our friends in the Middle East it is a competition up a sand dune. 

Below I've posted a short video of one of the trucks of Sheikh Khalid. The engine is an ex-Steve Millen 427 cubic inch small block "Pro Street" coupled to a Rossler TH400 transmission. The Nisan Patrol forms part of the Al Anabi Qatar Team. The driver Sarea Al Harji was unhurt in this incident which took place at a private test session on Al Ain Sand Dune near Dubai U.A.E.

Below, a compilation of runs at the 2009 Moreeb Dune Challenge in Dubai, U.A.E.



Sources: Qatar Race Club, ADRL.
Pictures courtesy of: dragzine.com