Dubai Autodrome

The 5.39km track at the Dubai Autodrome is one of the most modern in the world; it is also one of the most challenging, as it has a combination of high-speed straights and technical corners. The circuit, which contains six different configurations, is designed to allow three circuits to operate simultaneously, safely and independently from each other. The result presents circuit users with unparalleled options.

The circuit was designed to meet the strictest safety requirements and is the first FIA-sanctioned circuit to incorporate wide asphalt run-off areas.

The digital surveillance system provides complete coverage of all areas of the track and is linked to the Race/Safety control room for monitoring and saving on hard disk recorders. This means that every incident along the track during a race or event can be viewed by the clerk of the course.

Most facilities are housed in a two-storey ultra modern complex facing the grandstand. These facilities include Pit Complex, Race/Safety Control Room, Timekeeping Room, Media Centre, VIP Suite and Stewards Room. A world-class Medical Centre is situated behind the Pit area for track emergencies during major events.

The Media Centre is fully equipped with individual ISDN lines, computers and fax machines for the local and international press, while the Pit Complex encompasses 30 individual team garages. At the rear of the Pits is a traditional racing paddock for team staff and hospitality.

The Dubai Autodrome offers a one-of-a-kind facility for VIPs to enjoy motor racing in a regal setting. The luxuriously appointed VIP Suites offers a spectacular view of the thrilling action with cars passing only meters away.

Palm Islands

Dubai is building a series of islands off its congested coastline to create space for more hotels and beachfront villas. The first, Palm Jumeirah, was completed in mid-2004, and building has started on apartments and villas that will be home to, among others, David Beckham and his family. The first owners took up residence in early 2007, although the island was still basically a building site.

Critics argue that the giant island, in the shape of a palm tree, with 17 fronds and a surrounding crescent, spoils the view from Dubai’s beach and is damaging the marine eco-system. Fans say it is a brilliantly audacious answer to the problem of Dubai’s crowded beaches, and coo over its alleged visibility from the moon. Work has started on a second Palm, which will be 40% bigger than the first, and a third, Manhattan-sized Palm—to be finished around 2015—is emerging off the coast of Deira.

Whatever your feelings about Dubai's mega-projects, it is worth taking a look at Palm Jumeirah. Al Muntaha restaurant, 200 metres up at the Burj Al Arab hotel, has spectacular views of Palm Island, though you’ll have to buy lunch at around $100 a head for the privilege. The less salubrious and cheaper Oasis Beach hotel also has decent views, as does Le Meridien Mina Seyahi. The more adventurous can enjoy an excellent view parasailing behind a speedboat. Most beach clubs and hotels offer a 15-minute ride for around 100 dirhams ($30).

The first batch of homes on Palm Island sold out within three hours, but there is now plenty of availability for those with the money and the inclination. Prices start at around $250,000 and rise sharply. The sales centre of master developer Nakheel is open daily, near the Royal Mirage hotel on Jumeirah Beach Road.

Ski Dubai

Not content with building the biggest constructions, the tallest skyscrapers or just creating the largest man made islands in the world, Dubai went one better this year. It brought snow to this sun-baked desert oasis. Ski Dubai boasts a 400-metre indoor ski slope, which holds more than 6,000 tonnes of snow and was built at a cost of $US272m.

However, does anyone wishing to indulge in a bit of snowboarding and the likes really feel that Dubai is the destination for them? What’s more as Dubai’s sprawling metropolis threatens to engulf the old parts of the city, is the new city in danger of forsaking its past for the future?

Ski Duai facts:

- 22,500m² covered with real snow all year round – (equivalent to 3 football fields)
- Temperature maintained at a comfortable -1º to -2º
- 85 meters high (approximately 25 stories) and 80 meters wide
- 5 different runs of varying difficulty and length, longest run of 400 meters
- Full capacity of 1500 guests
- Freestyle zone
- Corporate and group bookings
- 3,000m² Snow Park with a snow cavern
- Quad chairlift, tow lift and flying carpets
- Mountain resort theme
- Rental of quality equipment and clothing included in the ticket price
- Qualified professional instructors
- State of the art ticketing system
- Changing areas with locker rental
- Private kids party rooms
- Exclusive retail shop – Snow Pro
- St Moritz Café and Avalanche Cafe

ETA Star delivers new mixed-use realty development 'The Palladium'

A leading UAE realty developer, ETA Star, has announced the delivery of the luxury mixed-use development 'The Palladium' at Jumeirah Lakes Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

The Palladium DubaiThe luxury development, which features 34-storey office and retail and residential complex with single, double and triple bedroom apartment and penthouses, has been handed over to the respective owners.

Located in the heart of Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 'The Palladium' captures the charm and essence of sophisticated lakeside lifestyle. Spreading over half a million square feet in area, it is a state-of-the-art high-rise development, comprising coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques in the lobby.

The Executive Director of ETA Star, Abid Junaid, mentioned that 'The Palladium' being, one of its major projects, the company has been able to keep up its promise, thereby deeply enrooting the trust that the customers have placed on the company.

Dubai Duty Free Announce Barclays as Title Sponsor of the Dubai Tennis

Dubai Duty Free has signed a US$ 9 million agreement with Barclays that will see Barclays become the title sponsor of the award-winning tournament for the next three years (2008 – 2010 inclusive). The announcement marks Barclays first foray into professional tennis sponsorship globally and is seen as a major endorsement of the Dubai Duty Free-run tournament which began in 1993 and has grown into a fortnight of world-class tennis. More

THE 2008 BARCLAYS DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dubai Duty Free Women's Open, February 25 - March 1, 2008
Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, March 3rd - 8th, 2008

Next year's events, February 25 - March 1, 2008 for Dubai Duty Free Women's Open and March 3rd - 8th, 2008 for Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, will be just as spectacular with the world’s top players ready to line-up for what will be another fortnight of first-class tennis action.

Tickets will go on sale in early 2008 at the Dubai Tennis Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. Grandstand tickets will also be available online in 2008 and further information will be made available on the website in the coming months. Please email requests for more information to marketing@ddf.ae.

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free and comprises a WTA Tier ll tournament played back-to-back with an ATP World Series Gold tournament.

Last year the event attracted some of the world’s leading players, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin-Hardenne.