The Paris-Rouen Motor Race that took place in 1894 is widely accepted as the first motoring event of the world. Following the invention of gasoline fuelled vehicles, the race was published as a Competition of Horseless Carriages and the race began from Port Maillot and witnessed Auguste Doriot and Rene Panhard being crowned the winners of the event. While this soon gave rise to a thrilling history of motorsports that has culminated in the renowned Formula One races, one cannot declare the non-existence of racing prior to the invention of the automobile. Prior to the popularisation of such artificial inventions, racing existed not only in the form of horse racing but also dog racing and camel racing as well.
Camel racing is naturally popular in the Middle East given that the climate can only be tolerated by such animals. In Qatar in particular, camel racing is understood and accepted as a serious venture. A testament to this sentiment, the Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track in Doha hosts a number of races throughout the year attracting many tourists and crowding 5 star hotels in Doha. Located around an hour outside the Hamad International Airport, it is advisable that tourists freshen up at a close by hotel such as the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara prior to making the excursion.
While camels are generally seen and understood to be sedate and slow moving animals, their behaviour on the Al Shahaniya Race Track proves otherwise! The Race Track also hosts the Camel Racing Festival bringing together hundreds of patrons to the track. The camels themselves are not directed by humans but by electronic jockeys and the races can be viewed via boarding a bus that drives alongside the race track. Witnessing such a race is truly a cultural experience that is unmatched and tourists should definitely attempt to catch a race before they leave Qatar.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
