Every year, as the cooler months linger through April, a spectacle unfolds in the golden sands of Zulfi, about 200 kilometers northwest of Riyadh. Here, roaring engines, flying sand, and fearless drivers come together for one of Saudi Arabia’s most thrilling traditions—dune bashing.
The sport, locally known as tatees, is not for the faint-hearted. Drivers in heavily modified, high-powered vehicles scale towering dunes, pushing their machines to the limit while thousands of spectators watch in awe. The event draws enthusiasts from across the kingdom, each eager to witness the raw power and daring stunts that define the desert motorsport scene.
A Playground for Speed and Skill
At the heart of this high-octane culture are drivers like Abdelilah al-Rabea, who sees dune bashing as more than just a hobby. “This is a popular sport in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf because we have these dunes,” he said, moments before launching his four-wheel-drive into a near-vertical ascent.
For Rabea and his peers, the challenge is not just about speed—it’s about control, precision, and pushing the limits of both man and machine. The cars themselves are not your everyday SUVs; they are extensively modified with reinforced suspensions, oversized tires, and engines fine-tuned for maximum power.
On the sidelines, fans sip coffee and tea, sitting on carpets spread across the sand. It’s a scene that blends the old with the new—a modern motorsport rooted in the deep desert traditions of the Arabian Peninsula.
Why Saudi Arabia Loves Dune Bashing
The kingdom’s unique geography plays a big role in making dune bashing a national pastime. The vast, rolling dunes provide a natural arena for off-road racing, while the culture of adventure and risk-taking fuels its popularity.
But there’s another factor at play: cheap fuel. Saudi Arabia, as the world’s top oil exporter, offers some of the lowest gasoline prices on the planet. A liter of fuel costs just 2.33 riyals ($0.62), making it far more affordable for enthusiasts to modify and maintain their powerful machines.
Motorsports, in general, have seen a surge in popularity in Saudi Arabia. With the kingdom hosting major events like Formula 1 and the Dakar Rally, interest in high-performance driving has reached new heights. Dune bashing is the local equivalent, a grassroots phenomenon where amateurs and professionals alike come together to test their skills against nature itself.
An All-Year Obsession
For the competitors, the annual meets in Zulfi are not just weekend events—they’re the culmination of months of preparation.
“We wait for this moment all year. We optimize the engine, the car, every single detail,” Rabea explained.
At the base of the dunes, drivers make last-minute adjustments to their vehicles. Modified trucks with turbocharged engines and reinforced frames line up, waiting for their turn to conquer the towering sand hills. The tension is palpable as each driver guns the engine and charges up the steep incline, hoping to reach the top without losing momentum.
The sport’s deep-rooted appeal goes beyond just speed. Many drivers started young, growing up watching family members take part in desert races. For Badr al-Ghamas, 33, from Al-Qassim, dune bashing has been a lifelong passion. “For some, sports means playing football or swimming. For us, it’s going dune bashing,” he said with a grin.
The Risks and the Rewards
Despite the excitement, dune bashing is not without danger. Cars flip, engines overheat, and miscalculations can send vehicles tumbling down the dunes. The thrill of the sport is its unpredictability—every race carries an element of risk.
Some drivers spend months reinforcing their vehicles to withstand the extreme conditions. “You can’t just take any car and drive up these dunes,” veteran drifter Ahmed al-Rumi explained. “We modify everything: the engine, the transmission, even the weight distribution.”
For those who master the art of dune bashing, the rewards go beyond just bragging rights. It’s a sport that embodies resilience, technical skill, and the spirit of the desert. In Saudi Arabia, where the dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, the passion for off-road racing is only growing stronger.
