It was a thrill for visitors at the first Sharjah Wheelers Festival held yesterday (Friday) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, one of Sharjah’s inclusive cultural and leisure destinations. The event turned out to be an automotive enthusiast’s dream, bringing car and bike afficionados together to celebrate their passion and explore the world of unique cars.

The festival was organised under the patronage and presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council (SMC), with HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), in attendance.

The event saw a huge turnout of car and bike enthusiasts, as well as families from across the UAE. More than 800 cars and bikes were on display at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre at this first-of-its-kind motor show in Sharjah. There were five motor categories on display: custom cars, 4x4s, classic cars, luxury saloons, and motorbikes.

The festival also hosted competitions in over 25 different categories including Best Car across 15+ vehicle types, Best Sport Custom Motorbike, Best Motorbike, Best Car Interior, Best Exterior, Best Engine, and Best Motorbike of the show, among others.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi toured the venue, exploring the collection of cars and bikes on display. He also visited other partner entities like the Sharjah Police, which showcased vehicles it used for special tasks, and the Emirates Driving Institute which organised simulations of accidents that could result in fatal injury to drivers and passengers if they do not wear seatbelts, among other entities.

HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of SGMB, said: “We organised the festival to give car and bike enthusiasts the opportunity to explore a unique collection of modern, classic, sports and custom cars, as well as the latest customisations methods and material that sparked the creativity of their owners. The festival offers owners and visitors a platform to share ideas and information about the latest developments in the motoring world.”

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi honoured the winners in all the competitions, including Anas Zarad, Best Sport Car; Mohammad Jamal, Best Jeep Design; Revon Nornhana, Best FJ Design; Alaa Hassan, Best KDM; and Ahmed Al Zaabi, best JDM.

Other winners included: Jasin Brown, Best Sound System; Mohammad Lamii, Best Wrapping; Fadi Matta, Best Air Brush; Ahmed Kalash, Best Engine; Salim Al Suwaidi, Best Interior; Koeema, Best Exterior; Rashid Ali, Best SUV; Sara, Best Lady Driven Car; Mazen Wahba, Best Super Car; and Wael Hussain, King of the Show; Mohammad Aljasmi, Best Classic 4×4; Mohammad Hussain, Best Sport Classic; and Mohammad Alhosani, Best Custom Classic were also honoured by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi.

The winners in the bike category included: Mubarak Ateeq, Best Bagger; The Doctor, Best Indian Bike; Hassan Al Mazimi, Best Baber; Hussain Ali, Best HD Touring Class; Mohammad Al Husani, Best Sling Shot; Ahmed Al Mazimi 82, Best Bikes; and Alanoud Alfalasi, Best Scooter.

The cars and bikes that participated in the different categories were evaluated by the judging committee on the basis of interior design and custom, air brush, innovation and display, as well as technique, wheels, tyres, exterior design, sound system, modifications and other features.

In keeping with Al Majaz Amphitheatre’s dedication to enhancing the spirit of community and offering people new opportunities to celebrate their passions, the festival organised a series of activities on the side-lines of the event that entertained visitors and gave them insights into the world of motor cars and bikes. Interactive competitions and kids’ zones turned the festival into a family-friendly event, offering them a platform for entertainment, learning, and activity

There were remote control (RC) car shows presented by experts in the field, who shared their expertise with the audience. The visitors also enjoyed a discount up to 50 percent on RC cars and drones.

The entities that participated in the event were also honoured. They included: Sharjah Police (Traffic & Patrol Directorate, Special Tasks Department), Sharjah Old Cars Club, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, University of Sharjah, Fujairah Adventures, Sharjah Discovery Centre, Emirates Fire Fighting Equipment Factory (FIREX), as well as a host of UAE car and bike clubs which showcased their unique cars and bikes. 104.8 FM and Channel 4 were the festival’s media sponsor.