Awafi Festival 2010 off to a roaring start

Ras Al Khaimah, Jan 30: The Awafi Festival 2010 started off at the picturesque Awafi area in Ras Al Khaimah yesterday afternoon with thousands of people witnessing the sand dune racing competitions, which marked the commencement of the annual spring festival.
Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Finance Department and Head of the Higher Organising Committee of the Festival, and other dignitaries joined the estimated 10000- strong crowd to watch the fiercely fought car racing event.
Racers from across GCC tested their mettle against a massive 100- metre high sand dune.  Supercharged cars specially configured for the competition were pushed to the limits as they raced up the 70- degree climb. Spectators perched on the surrounding hills cheered and screamed each time the drivers attempted to conquer the imposing dune.
The competition was divided into two categories- one for 8- cylinder vehicles and another for 6- cylinder vehicles. Ebrahim Akih won the AED 45,000 cash prize for the top position in the 8-cyllinder category by clearing the dune in 5.2 seconds while Mohammed Al Amri won the top place in the 6- cylinder category by racing past the dune in 5.3 seconds.
The Awafi festival, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has over the years become a major event in the emirate’s tourism calendar by attracting thousands of visitors from GCC and other foreign countries.
Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi said that events like the Awafi Festival would contribute to the development of the tourism sector of the emirate which has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years in terms of expansion of hotel room capacity and promotion of emirate’s natural attractions to tourists.
Hamad Al Shamsi, General Coordinator of the Festival, said that he was pleased with the huge turnout of people in the inaugural day of the festival. “The sand dune climbing races at Awafi has become a highly anticipated event for car racing enthusiasts as it put to test both the driving prowess as well as cutting edge vehicle designing skills that is required in the competition,” he added.
Apart from the signature motor racing competition, this year’s Awafi festival features a variety of arts and cultural events that bring together the rich heritage of the emirate.
The three week- long festival offers a variety of cultural and entertainment options for the entire family. The festival venue has a children’s play zone, heritage village, a bazaar, and several stalls featuring local arts and crafts, apart from public amenities like food outlets, internet cafes, coffee shops, medical centre and games area.
Special areas have been earmarked for providing tented accommodation to the visiting families. The festival is free to enter and major activities are planned to take off each day from 4 pm and continuing late into the night.