The annual Al Ain Dune Championship 2008 kicks off this weekend and promises to be the biggest yet.

Already there has been a 25% increase in the number of bikes and cars signed up to take on the dunes.

Drivers in three different car categories and five categories of bike and buggy will be competing against the clock to race up and down one of the star-dunes (large pyramid-shaped dunes) which lie around 32kms from Al Ain at Al Saad.

The championships start at 5pm on both days and are being held about 30kms outside Al Ain, on the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain road. Visitors coming from Dubai will need to drive all the way in to Al Ain and then to take the Abu Dhabi road, looking for signs to Al Saad.