Dubai newbie - loads of questions

[Fee]

Hello! I normally post in the Scotland section of PH but I've just moved out to Dubai with work for 6 months

So, a few initial questions, I'm sure there will be more!

Car rental - I haven't arranged a car yet for whilst I'm out here, but am likely to just hire one for a month or two at a time. Any recommendations for the best places to get a hire car from?
Can I hire on my UK licence, or do I need to sort out getting a UAE licence?

I'd love to get some track action whilst I'm out here .... Which will be a bit difficult without a car / tow car / tools etc
What are the autodrome experiences like? Worth a go, or little track time for ada lot of money?

I don't suppose anyone knows of a race team with no driver?! (Long shot, but you never know!) getting some international racing under my belt would be great, and stop me getting rusty over the winter season!

Cheers

Fee

[Harris_I]

It's been a while since I lived there, and I'm sure others will be along in a mo to correct me if I'm wrong. But if you have a UAE residence visa in your passport, then your UK licence will not be sufficient to rent a car. You will need to convert to a UAE licence which will be relatively trivial to arrange (form filling, waiting in a queue and getting a simple eye test IIRC). If you don't have a UAE res visa, then your UK licence will be sufficient.

It sounds like you are already a racer looking to beef up your race experience? In which case, you might find the Autodrome experiences a bit tame. Better to get yourself a cheap track slag and sell it for what you bought it in 6 months. If you want to race, you arrive at the perfect time - start of the season. Talk to IanUAE on here - he runs the pit garage for SVDP Racing. As for a race team looking for a driver, like everywhere else in the world, you will have to pay your way unless you are top drawer and come with sponsorship.

[ct84]

Hi fee, there is arrive and drive racing available and as Harris says, your just in time for the season.
Not too sure if this is classed as advertising but sure I'll be told if it is. If you fancy track days or racing in radicals, or any more info on what's around, feel free to email me- [e-mail].

Craig

[StanBalaban]

Hi Fee, Harris is spot on regarding the licensing and visa situation, but I've got a couple of car hire firms that I've used over the years that I can recommend.

Are you looking for a particular type of car?

[Fee]

Thanks all

Yep, I do have a residence visa, so will need to get a UAE licence then
Do I need to just take my UK licence (is the paper part needed as I haven't brought that over withe me!) and get to take my UK and UAE licence away?

Stan - nothing in particular. My initial thoughts were I would just get a cheap run around....but something nice would be...nice!

I've just finished the racing season back in Scotland.
I used to compete in Time Attack for a few years but have changed over to Saloon racing now, with SMRC.

I used to race a R32 GTR, but now got a Subaru Impreza



Arrive and drive would probably be the best option.....
Where is the best place to find out info?

I've seen some info about a Suzuki Swift cup arrive and drive, but it all seems to be dated - is that still ongoing?

what about the clio cup - does anyone know any arrive and drive options for that?

[Fee]

Craig - I have actually looked at your website already

My husband has been pushing me to have a shot of a radical. I'm not so sure - I like having a cover over my head!
I'll drop you an email though to find out a bit more

[ct84]

Hi Fee, i'll have to apologise for the website being terrible. Feel free to call in and meet up if your ever in motorcity, or drop me an email. Craig

[e21jason]

No arrive and drive anymore, you can buy a car for a season in the YAS GT86

A few Clio's and seats available to hire as well as Ferrari and McLaren

[ct84]

Hi Fee, i'll have to apologise for the website being terrible. Feel free to call in and meet up if your ever in motorcity, or drop me an email. Craig

[XB70]

ct84 said:

Hi fee, there is arrive and drive racing available and as Harris says, your just in time for the season.
Not too sure if this is classed as advertising but sure I'll be told if it is. If you fancy track days or racing in radicals, or any more info on what's around, feel free to email me- [e-mail].

Craig

Hi Craig

Will drop you an email as keen to find out more (I am in Ranches so not too far away at all)

Cheers

[shirt]

swift cup is long since dead.

you could do an arrive and drive deal with the likes of phoenix motorsport in a clio 200 cup. problem being the touring car grid this year will be wk, makes for an expensive trackday!

if the grid is good then the radicals will be the only thing approaching proper racing. are you not offering arrive & drive for the fg1000 masters craig?

[StanBalaban]

Fee said:

Thanks all

Yep, I do have a residence visa, so will need to get a UAE licence then
Do I need to just take my UK licence (is the paper part needed as I haven't brought that over withe me!) and get to take my UK and UAE licence away?

Stan - nothing in particular. My initial thoughts were I would just get a cheap run around....but something nice would be...nice!

Hi Fee, don't think the paper part is needed (but I did mine over 7 years ago now so could be wrong). I got mine done at the RTA building inside the Union Co-op on Al Wasl Road. There is an opticians in there for the laughable eye test.

In terms of hire cars, you can get a little Yaris / Fiesta pretty cheaply. Try National for the Fords, or Gargash near the Gold and Diamond Park. You can speak to John there on 050 656 9362 who should be able to sort out a decent deal. Most places will offer Toyota / Ford / Mazda type small and mid range cars. If budget allows, Gargash may still have some Saab's and still offer Alfa Romeo, but they aren't cheap.

Edited by StanBalaban on Sunday 12th October 19:24

[Fee]

Thanks Stan. Will sort out getting my licence over the next couple of weeks and then have a look

Shirt - I've heard of Phoenix motorsport as well, but couldn't find much info on them either. Are they still on the go? And do arrive and drive?

I'll need to look into race licence requirements as well

[ct84]

Hi Shirt, Gulfsport are doing the FG1000, not too sure if they do arrive and drive to be honest but I imagine they will be. We are hopeful of a 13-16 car grid for most rounds this year with the Radicals, with 4 of them supporting Porsche. We will also be running a number of the Gt86 cars for the Yas series, customer only cars at the minute unless we have enough interest in arrive and drives - in which case we will consider buying a car.

[Fats25]

Fee said:

Thanks Stan. Will sort out getting my licence over the next couple of weeks and then have a look

As a fellow newbie here, note that it is not the visa you need for the licence transfer, but your Emirates ID.

Until you have your Emirates ID, you cannot transfer your licence. As said above you cannot drive at all until you have your UAE licence - from the minute your Residence ID is applied for (or you enter on a Visa that has been applied for).

[ct84]

I'll need to look into race licence requirements as well
[/quote]

Race license is probably easier than changing your road license over Fee haha, so long as you know the flags, some basic common sense safety related questions, and can pass a medical, then it can all be done in a day. I can find you any more info you may need or I can help with . Craig

[shirt]

Fee said:

Shirt - I've heard of Phoenix motorsport as well, but couldn't find much info on them either. Are they still on the go? And do arrive and drive?

i believe you know jase through track scotland? he has brian's contact details who owns/runs phoenix. haven't seen brian since the end of last season so can't comment on what his plans are.

jase and i have a clio 172 [uk clio cup winning car] which we have toyed with renting out for races, but would need to look at costs, regs, certification of seats/tank etc.

[Fee]

Yeah, I know Jason from a few years ago

Let me know if you do consider renting it out....I might be interested