Latest news with #HananSobati
What's On
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- What's On
The Middle East's first all-women supercar rally takes place in May
Automotive history in the making… Gone are the days when cars were predominantly associated with men. Women are here to take over the wheels, and they are no longer attaching themselves to the 'small car syndrome' either. To nail the point in, the Arabian Gazelles are showing off and launching the Middle East's first all-women supercar rally. The rally takes place next month from Thursday, May 1 to 4 and will travel through the emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi before returning to Dubai. It is the first all-women supercar rally in the Middle East, adding a sprinkle of luxury and elegance to the roads of the UAE. While most of the focus will be on the stunning four-wheel steel works of art, the backdrop is just as stunning with remote desert views and scenic coastlines. A lineup of twenty trailblazing women from around the world will drive across the UAE to showcase not just power and precision but to celebrate freedom, connection, and shared momentum. It's a coming together of women with one goal: to showcase the growing interest of women in motorsports and to ensure that every woman with a passion for the field has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and succeed. Over the four days, the Arabian Gazelles will journey across the UAE, embracing all that the unique and varied landscapes have to offer. Each segment will blend the excitement of the open road with plenty of hospitality, cultural immersion, and thoughtfully curated experiences. Above: Arabian Gazelles instagram 'This rally is about more than cars – it's about claiming space, changing perceptions, and celebrating the strength of exceptional women who are shaping the future,' said Hanan Sobati (pictured above), Founder of Arabian Gazelles. 'We're not just behind the wheel, we're leading the change, one powerful mile at a time.' It begins with an exclusive BMW M Series track session organized by BMW Group Middle East at Dubai Autodrome (an FIA sanctioned motorsports circuit), followed by a drive along the tranquil coastlines of Fujairah. After a night's rest at the stunning Naäma Beach Villas & Spa, the all-women crew will make the ascent up the dramatic Jebel Jais mountains, where yet another serene overnight retreat awaits. From here, they will head to Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Sarab where they will spend a night among the dunes and the stars before returning to Dubai for a grand celebration at Delano. What an experience! Speaking on the rally, Ghita Mejdi, co-organizer of the Arabian Gazelles Rally and Founder of the kliff project stated, 'This is a rally with a soul. Every detail was curated to honor the spirit of the women driving it – trailblazers, storytellers, and icons.' She added, 'They're not here to compete; they're here to connect, uplift, and inspire.' (Now, my only question is, can I be a side seat driver… please ?) Images: Supplied and Instagram
Mid East Info
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Mid East Info
Arabian Gazelles Launch the Middle East's First All- Women Supercar Rally, Bringing Luxury and Elegance to the Roads of the UAE
The four-day tour will start in Dubai and travel through the emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, before returning to Dubai Each leg of the rally, from racetracks to remote deserts and scenic coastlines, represents a story of bold, intentional progress From May 1 to 4, 2025, the Arabian Gazelles will make regional automotive history by launching the Middle East's first all-women supercar rally, a powerful initiative that merges performance with purpose, redefining who leads in the world of luxury cars. Twenty trailblazing women from around the world will drive across the UAE, not simply to showcase power and precision, but to celebrate freedom, connection, and shared momentum. The initiative both reflects the growing interest of women in motorsports, and honours their resilience, calling for collective efforts to ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Over four days, the Arabian Gazelles will journey across the UAE, embracing the sights, sounds and thrills its unique and varied landscape has to offer. Each segment of the rally blends the excitement of the open road with elevated hospitality, cultural immersion, and thoughtfully curated experiences. 'This rally is about more than cars – it's about claiming space, changing perceptions, and celebrating the strength of exceptional women who are shaping the future,' said Hanan Sobati, Founder of Arabian Gazelles. 'We're not just behind the wheel, we're leading the change, one powerful mile at a time.' The Arabian Gazelles Rally is more than a journey, it's a movement. In a space traditionally dominated by men, Arabian Gazelles is paving a new road where women don't just participate, they lead. The experience begins with an exclusive BMW M Series track session organized by BMW Group Middle East at Dubai Autodrome, followed by a drive along the tranquil coastlines of Fujairah and a stay at the stunning Naäma Beach Villas & Spa, Arabian Gazelles' preferred wellness and hospitality destination for this year's rally. The journey continues with an ascent of the dramatic Jebel Jais mountains, a serene overnight retreat at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and a refined coastal interlude at Anantara Santorini in Ghantoot. Participants will then spend a night among the dunes and the stars of Qasr Al Sarab, before returning to Dubai for a grand celebration at Delano, culminating in a memorable and fabulous closing dinner for the rally participants at the stunning Maison Revka, hosted by Chopard & Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. The United Arab Emirates, renowned for its visionary spirit and commitment to progress, offers the perfect backdrop for this groundbreaking event. With participants from across the globe, the Arabian Gazelles Rally is both a tribute to the country's legacy and an invitation to experience its beauty through a uniquely female lens. Arabian Gazelles aims to grow this movement beyond borders, bringing more women to the region and taking those already here on unforgettable journeys across the world. Ghita Mejdi, co-organizer of the Arabian Gazelles Rally and Founder of the kliff project added: 'This is a rally with a soul. Every detail was curated to honor the spirit of the women driving it, trailblazers, storytellers, and icons. They're not here to compete; they're here to connect, uplift, and inspire.' Presented in partnership with Chopard, the Swiss luxury watch & jewellery Maison that is devoted to supporting women and deeply rooted within the spirit of racing and classic cars, along with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. Chopard's participation in this first edition of the Arabian Gazelle's Women's Supercar Rally reflects the historic relationship between Chopard and racing. The close ties between these two worlds are built on the many common denominators that naturally draw them together, including constant innovation, a tireless quest for performance and excellence, unfailing respect for traditions, the supreme importance of details – and of course a shared passion for mechanical engineering. Also presented in partnership with The Elite Cars, a subsidiary of Elite Group Holding with decades of automotive expertise in the region, and Tom Ford Beauty, the Arabian Gazelles Rally is where luxury meets leadership, community fuels creativity, and women take the wheel of a bold new era. Arabian Gazelles is the world's first all-women supercar collective, founded in Dubai and driven by a powerful mission: to redefine how women experience performance, luxury, and leadership behind the wheel. Since its inception, the group has brought together high-powered, independent women from across the globe each one united by a shared passion for cars, community, and change.
Trade Arabia
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Trade Arabia
Arabian Gazelles launch all-women supercar rally
Arabian Gazelles have made regional automotive history by launching the Middle East's first all-women supercar rally. From May 1 to 4, twenty trailblazing women from around the world will drive across the UAE, not simply to showcase power and precision, but to celebrate freedom, connection, and shared momentum. The initiative both reflects the growing interest of women in motorsports, and honours their resilience, calling for collective efforts to ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Each segment of the rally blends the excitement of the open road with elevated hospitality, cultural immersion, and thoughtfully curated experiences. 'This rally is about more than cars – it's about claiming space, changing perceptions, and celebrating the strength of exceptional women who are shaping the future,' said Hanan Sobati, Founder of Arabian Gazelles. 'We're not just behind the wheel, we're leading the change, one powerful mile at a time.' The experience begins with an exclusive BMW M Series track session organised by BMW Group Middle East at Dubai Autodrome, followed by a drive along the tranquil coastlines of Fujairah and a stay at the stunning Naäma Beach Villas & Spa, Arabian Gazelles' preferred wellness and hospitality destination for this year's rally. The journey continues with an ascent of the dramatic Jebel Jais mountains, a serene overnight retreat at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and a refined coastal interlude at Anantara Santorini in Ghantoot. Participants will then spend a night among the dunes and the stars of Qasr Al Sarab, before returning to Dubai for a grand celebration at Delano, culminating in a memorable and fabulous closing dinner for the rally participants at the stunning Maison Revka, hosted by Chopard & Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. With participants from across the globe, the Arabian Gazelles Rally is both a tribute to the UAE's legacy and an invitation to experience its beauty through a uniquely female lens. Arabian Gazelles aims to grow this movement beyond borders, bringing more women to the region and taking those already here on unforgettable journeys across the world.
Campaign ME
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Campaign ME
McLaren Middle East hits the road with the UAE's female supercar community
Last month, McLaren Middle East brought together members of the UAE's female supercar community for a women-only event that highlighted shared passions, individuality, and a growing presence within the region's automotive scene. The gathering, held in collaboration with TUMI at Leña, served as both a social and cultural moment for a community that's often underrepresented in the industry. Lauren Dowdy, Regional Marketing Manager for the Middle East, India and Africa, McLaren said, 'This initiative was rooted in hyperpersonalisation, but it extended far beyond that. It was a celebration of the UAE's vibrant female supercar community, designed to create a unique and memorable experience that could resonate with our audience on a deeper level.' She continued, 'By combining the thrill of high-performance driving with the elegance of fine dining, we aimed to craft an event that reflected the sophistication and passion of the women who inspire us. The addition of TUMI's bespoke touch – providing hand-engraved perfume bottles for each guest – further elevated the personalisation aspect of the event.' Among the participants were leading figures including Hanan Sobati, founder of the Arabian Gazelles – the UAE's largest female-only supercar club – along with media personalities Rama Murad and Walaa Hennaoui. 'We were thrilled to have prominent figures like Hanan Sobati, founder of the Arabian Gazelles – the UAE's largest female-only supercar club – as well as media personalities Rama Murad and Walaa Hennaoui join us, allowing us to further amplify our message and spread this celebration of the female supercar community far and wide,' said Dowdy. Sobati added: 'We truly appreciate McLaren's commitment to creating unique experiences for women in the supercar world, which are setting a new standard in the industry.' The event began at McLaren Dubai, home to the world's largest standalone McLaren showroom and service facility. Guests were welcomed and invited to test drive a selection of McLaren models, including the Artura and Artura Spider hybrids, the McLaren GTS, and the 750S and 750S Spider. Several privately owned vehicles were also on display, including a customised MSO McLaren Senna. 'While we don't have any firm numbers on this, feedback across the board has been positive and we plan to monitor these metrics through ongoing customer feedback, social media sentiment analysis, and engagement tracking over the coming months to measure the long-term impact of initiatives such as this one,' said Dowdy. 'We of course measure tracking metrics such as test drive bookings, customer enquiries, and sales conversions on an ongoing basis and will hopefully be able to see the effects of this push reflected in the metrics moving forward, allowing us to also inform future campaigns,' she added. The event celebrated the growing influence of UAE's female supercar community and their presence in the industry.
