shiva

I'm probably going to be running race control and all communications for Dubai Rally that weekend, so a slightly different crowd from the rugby one

scrubbedexpat141

That sounds fun. Proper racing rally stuff? Like Colin McRae type rallying or Steam Rally?

Why don't things like this get a bit more press.

shiva

proper FIA rally, (half of the guys running it here knew McRae personally, not me ) it does get press just most people are too busy with their brunch agendas!

people assume 7days is the only press here and english the only language. There is loads going on here but people need to be proactive and get engaged in the community.

http://www.dubaiinternationalrally.com/index.aspx

http://www.atcuae.ae/index.aspx

http://www.atcuae.ae/volunteer2.aspx
we always need marshals so feel free to get in touch with the ATCUAE (not me im just another volunteer)

we also do the desert challenge rally

NorthernLad

I would say the new ground is better than the exiles. It seems to get better each year, and the atmosphere in the BP stand is hard to beat.

A mate is playing in a rugby league all-stars team this year, looking forward to seeing that one.

scrubbedexpat141

Is that the stand that you can drink and smoke in?

NorthernLad

Yeah, it generally fills up quite quickly. You can't beat a bag of Heineken, packet of Marlboro lights and a day watching the rugby.

NorthernLad

This will be a cracking team to watch...

Jason Robinson
Kris Radlinski
Sean Long
Gary Connolly
Martin Offiah
Ste Hampson
BJ Mather
Dennis Betts
Mick Cassidy
Paul Sculthorpe
Stephen Blakely
Adrian Morley
Brian Carney
Andy Johnson (Captain)

scrubbedexpat141

Exactly.

The Dean

You all seem to have ignored my post (which is entirely your privilege, but as I was trying to point out, the rugby is far better than it's ever been, so the rugby diehards-v-total pissheads ratio is more refined these days).

I also (a separate point) get the impression that the corporate hospitality jobby is more restrained these days too - correct me if I'm wrong - as I see more non-pissed people emerging from those areas at end-of-day than I used to..........

All in all, it's a superb event, whichever angle you consider........ and that squad of Rugby L**gue's finest looks like it will be tough to beat - is that the one raising money for the Joining Jack charity (or whatever it's called)?

[Edit: ah yes.............. http://joiningjack.org/ ]

jam25mack

My mate and I got jumped by 5 Russians at the 7's last year. We were down by the food and pissers behind the hospitality stand just minding our own business deciding which of our mates we should go and meet next then BANG fist to the face. I ended up having 8 stitches above my eye although I have a feeling they all had to have a lot more than that.

As such, not sure about going again this year. Been there, played there, been hammered there so pretty much done that and got the T shirt.

Interesting that the Desert challenge is the same weekend. Will maybe have a look at that. I'm an FIA marshal so ............. could work out.

scrubbedexpat141

I'm always dubious of stories where fights start for no reason...I know it does happen, BUT it's pretty unlikely no?

Anyway....I'll be going again this year, why not. Something different and the rugby's always quite good.

jam25mack

I totally agree and normally share your dubious thoughts but we had literally only been there for an hour or so and were relatively sober so no sillyness had occurred from our side. Not sure if it was mistaken identity or what but I'm pretty sure they regretted their actions in the end.

scrubbedexpat141

Fair enough. I assume you gave them an absolute kicking?

Millsyisland

Is this Jason Robinson, ex league/union convert and Rugby World Cup final 2003 try scorer?? He'll be playing at the 7s?

shiva

dubai rally is that weekend, desert challenge is end of march start of april time