Gulf News Fun Drive January 2013

[Abu Jimmy]

Although the meeting time was early ( 5:30 am ) , i reached half an hour earlier cause i know that some early birds will arrive before the time . our club member " jgeorge " reached at 5:10 and we had little chat while others were arriving . we moved to The Sevens around 6:10 started the check in process , had our breakfast , collect the goody bags and lunch box . we were divided in two or three convoys at the start point , but we regather and organise our convoy before check point 1 , a small brief and the fun began .

It was a " war zone " with hundreds of cars moving in different directions with no streets , no traffic signs and no law of any kind . we met all kinds of drivers , fresh new offroaders who have no idea about what to do , some kamikaze drivers who have no care for safety ( for themselves or others ) . it was risky and dangerous , but our Almosters succeeded to manage their own track ( away from GNFD official track ) and avoid the crowded critical points ( Massacres ​) where was lots of unpleasant incidents of rollovers and cars accidents . Other GNFD drivers saw that and they started following our convoy . ( the convoy started with 23 cars and end with 54 cars ).

We reached our target point safe and sound with no major problems at all and the credit goes to :-

1- All members of Almost4x4 who joined this event for their commitment and discipline , following safety instructions , and great driving with nearly no stuck .:028:

2- The founders ( Tariq Younes , Zico , Ahmed Al Shamsi , AlKhatib and Bu Salem ) for their endless support and great efforts .:047:

3- Marshal Hamdan for a very well done job sweeping , and not loosing any body although there was 1010 cars participating in the event :045:

4- Intermediate drivers ( Salhinai , Miss D , Bob Pavan and Melfi ) for their help and assistance .

Special thanks to our Almost4x4 Auto service specialist ( Omar ) for his valuable efforts .

Special thanks to ( Melfi ) for an excellent job sweeping the on road convoy all the way to the GNFD camp.


Almost4x4
( Big events , Big boys )

[bobpavan]

We all should firstly thank Almost4x4 for organising the drive verywell inspite of 100's of cars in the field out there. As always, things were very organised, disciplined and very smooth without any compromise.

However, a special Thanks to you Abu Jimmy. You really did a great job yesterday. It was just awesome to see 50+ cars following you, as you being the Lead.

Also, a special Thanks goes to Zico, Omar and Hamdan for the added Valuable Support to all drivers....you guys Rock!

see you all soon in Jeep Jamboree:028:

[Ask Jeeves [Bot]]

I would like to thank every body for making this sub-event a real fun and enjoyable.

[sanbloody]

Well said BOB, ....Zico and Abu Jimmy were extremely concerned on any of the 23 Almosters getting lost in the mad rush. A big big thanks to all the Marshals to who also helped many participants who were lost and did not know how to proceed.
Proud to be an Almoster!!
By the way ...........Please have a look at today's Gulf News we have a big picture of all the Almosters @ GNFD

[Wasif Ahmed]

Great to hear you all had a good time....I was at the Sevens around 7.00 AM and met a small group of the Almosters by the entry to the breakfast area but unfortunately for me couldnt meet all of you.

[rein]

A big thanks to Abu Jimmy and not forgetting Hamdan, Al Shamsi, Tariq Younes, Zico, AlKhatib, Bu Salem and others for their valuable assistance in making this fun drive a real fun drive (and with no incidents). I truly believe that without their valuable guidance and support we would have been among one of the many drivers with incidents. Melfi also did an excellent job in keep the flock together. Although this was my 3rd trip with the family (Almost 4x4), I really felt protected in this fun drive.
Word cannot describe your great deeds.
You guys rock!!! keep it up. I am proud to be a Almoster!!!

[Miss D]

Well well... no words are enough to explain how we Almosters were kept together and safe at all times... esp in that WAR ZONE!

I couldn't help but imagine Abu Jimmy as a Shepherd and we all were his sheep :005: ....
Im sure the main track of GNFD would be a bit of hard for some of our members in the convoy and thus Marshals made a special track for us... And as we were a huge number.. all those who were kinda lost , started to follow us... we ended up with more than 50 members....:045:

All started well and ended well... i did have ZICO with me half the day and Man... that guy is FULL OF FUN!!! :008:

Abu Jimmy did a great job leading all of us on a safe track while Abu Mahmood was our 2nd lead and Hamdan for making sure none of us were lost between those thousands of cars...(Im sure that was not easy)

I must say.. we were the most happening Convoy there... As you all can see Almosters are all over there official video :027: and even in the paper!
So proud of being an ALMOSTER!

Super proud that our marshals and advance drivers were the official GNFD Marshals too!!! Thumbs up for Shamsi, Khatib, Capri, Mazaaj & Falasi! :like:

Big thanks to all the members who joined us and c u all soon... :038:

[bobpavan]

Here we go..!!

I have uploaded pic on FB aswell....feel free to Tag yourselves guys..!!

Thanks,
Bob

[Mazaaj]

1st I would like to thank Almost4x4 management for the trust given to us (me & alfalasi) and suggesting our names to be Marshals in such event. We tried our best to not fail you guys (al falasi didnt sleep this time).

Well it was an unforgettable day..100 of stucks..pop outs..windy weather..rude ppl (who think that we're labors or paid by Gulf News) and a lot of pressure but in the end its a good experience...I felt sorry for our marshals who experience it in every trip (please guys reduce the pressure on them and dont let them suffer..at least by not asking them stupid questions). Special thx to my body Chief Marshal Capri for his endless support and guidance..specially the tricky ones :005:

We never met the almost4x4 convoy but..why should I worry about them while their leader is Abu Jimmy..supported by founders, marshal and smart lovely ppl. We didnt really take a real break and we had our lunch while driving..our break was at the camp at night where we had a really nice evening when almost4x4 members gathered.

and...thank you guys for wasting ur time for reading such a bad report :030:

[ekkajay]

Firstly, many thanks to Almost 4x4 family for guiding and keeping us all safe.

Indeed it was a War Zone a different experience to add the rain and wind and poor visiblity at times, with some drivers making it worse.

Excellent work by Abu Jimmy for keeping all of us on track, Zico for making sure we were all on track and up to the speed. As usual the briefings were extremely useful and for the great support from Al Shamshi.

A special thanks to all my colleagues who participated in the drive and working our way safely, keeping distance and following routes... the learnings we have from all the drives in our club. Thanks to Tariq, Al Khatib, Bu Salem. Hamdan for guiding us in a smooth fashion.

Intermediates for taking care to ensure all were in good order and Jenny as usual at the back with excellent communications to ensure the last person is in the convoy and not left out.

Overall a great experience and without Almost 4x4, personally I would not be able to do it all. Thanks once again to all. Going to miss Jeep Jamboree, was late to register and now it is closed. But do look forward to Newbie drives....

Ajay
055 2120636