(Hat tip to Craig!) [via National Post]

Work only began on the 4,200 acre facility in November, 2007, but as things have a way of doing in the UAE, work is progressing incredibly rapidly. Ferrari World is scheduled for completion this November. Hit next to find out what to expect from "Ferrari World" and a shot-by-shot look at the build process from Sarlacc pit-like sand trap to prancing stallion princess castle!

The park will feature driving-instruction courses for children and adults, a Six Flags-style amusement park, high-tech theaters and a racing circuit that F1 race circuit. As you can see, the full effect is more space port than amusement park.

These images are in order from October 2007, progressing all the way to a rendered version of the completed Tifosi's wet dream. [Carzi via 0-60]

October, 2007.

February, 2008.

May, 2008.

July, 2008.

September, 2008.

November, 2008.

January, 2009.

March, 2009.

Complete rendering.

The market has reacted favorably: the maker of Mercedes–Benz cars and commercial trucks has seen its share price jump by 8% on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

CEO Dieter Zetsche said the deal would enable Daimler to continue investing in new technology. The company plans on spending 6 billion dollars on research and development this year even as it was forced to cut hours for 54,000 workers and shut two plants in North America.

Source: Bloomberg, The Guardian, Reuters

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road wraps its way around the Jebel Hafeet Mountain, the second highest peak in the U.A.E. at over 4000 feet. The road offers brave drivers 60 corners over 7.3 miles of perfectly paved asphalt while offering a beautiful view of the desert below. As Tiff points out, numerous drivers have misjudged the corners. The rubber graffiti written all along the road's concrete barriers, a sign some should stick to just going straight.

For those who have mastered all 60 corners of the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road only a small car park with 2 porta-johns (for you to empty out your pants) and cafe await you at the top of the peak, but we're guessing those aren't the real prize. Did we mention that there's only one way down? We're hoping that Ol' Master Wert will hand us the keys to something special and give us the okay to take a short journey to the oil-rich capital.

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(photo credit: Renen Jose Navalta via flickr)
[via 5th gear]

Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (phew!), bought the former F1 star his own piece of "The World."

Situated off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, "The World" is a grouping of man-made islands developed to look like a map of the Earth. Valued at roughly $7 million, Schumacher’s island will be located in the southern hemisphere, part of the "Antarctica" island cluster, when completed in a few years, presumably before the Michael Schumacher World Champion Tower in Abu Dhabi is completed.

We’re wondering how long it’ll take to see a track of some sort on it. We’ll be scouring Google Earth until we know. [uk.sports.yahoo.com]

The Tower is being constructed by German firm ACI Real Estate, which has a deal with the former driver; the seven towers it plans to construct each represent one of Schumacher’s championships. No other locations have yet been revealed.

The Abu Dhabi location will stand 787 feet tall, have 60 floors, 40 apartments and be constructed on its own island. While it’s far from the tallest or most ridiculous skyscraper in Dubai, its makers are hoping it’s Yacht access will give it a unique selling point. It’ll need one, as there’s already two tower’s named after F1 legend Niki Lauda in the Emirate. [via MotorAuthority]

If you must drive in heavy fog, dip your headlights, fog lights and turn on your rear fog lamp, if you have one. Adjust your speed according to the conditions, you should be able to come to a complete stop within the distance that you can see ahead of you. Allow a much greater distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. Thanks to Jeffrey for the tip. [Via Gulf News]

[via ABC News]

Press Release:

Press Release
Foundation Stone Ceremony celebrates construction start for world's first Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

Yas Island - Abu Dhabi, November 3rd, 2007 - A Foundation Stone Ceremony was held today in Abu Dhabi to officially signify the start of construction of one of the most multi-dimensional and highly anticipated themed entertainment attractions in the world, the Ferrari Theme Park.

Officials and special guests in attendance for today's event included Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo and Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, ALDAR Properties, as well as invited guests representing media, government and business organizations from around the world.

During the Foundation Stone Ceremony a special time capsule was buried, containing a Conrod and Piston of the F2007, the F1 World Champion Ferrari car, together with the first artist's impression of the Ferrari Theme Park on Yas Island. The capsule will be then opened again at Ferrari's 100th anniversary, in 2047.

"This is a very special year for Ferrari" - Mr. Montezemolo said. "Together with the extraordinary commercial success of our GT cars, it brought to Maranello the F1 Constructors World Championship and the F1 Drivers World Championship with Kimi Raikkonen, and I am particularly proud to be present to mark the symbolic start of this great project. Moreover, 2007 is the year of Ferrari's 60th anniversary, and this Ceremony has therefore a further, important meaning".

Part of a joint project between Italian automotive manufacturer Ferrari and ALDAR properties PJSC, the 250,000 sqm park (80,000 of them covered) will be a unique oasis of discovery, hospitality and beauty that captures culture, flavour and the true spirit of Italian country, as well as the legendary automotive history, feeling and heritage of Ferrari cars and racing. "Today is a celebration of the first step along the way to making the world's first Ferrari theme park a reality, with the laying of the foundation stone" - commented Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, ALDAR Properties. "An incredible amount of real estate growth is taking place in Abu Dhabi, and it is our responsibility to deliver projects of the highest quality, while protecting the natural, social and cultural assets of the Emirate. I am confident that the blend between the power and beauty of one of the world's leading brands, Ferrari, with ALDAR's expertise in development and regional knowledge, will combine to create a destination that resonates with sports lovers around the world."

When completed in 2009, the attraction will provide amusement for the whole family, featuring multi-format high tech theatres, a variety of sophisticated driving schools (for both children and adults), Ferrari automotive displays and participatory learning centres as well as food and entertainment. Among the 24 attractions, the Park will offer a mix of high-octane and family rides with roller coasters jetting into the sky and dipping through the covered areas. At the heart of the park will be an advanced and sophisticated circuit offering driving courses, which will be the home of the first Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in 2009.

After the Foundation Stone event at Yas Island, a brand new Ferrari Store will have its official grand opening in Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo, Commercial and Brand Director Dany Bahar, Abdullah Abdel Rahim Al Fahim, Chairman of Al Fahim Enterprises and Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of ALDAR Properties will take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

When I was a kid, we had these huge sand dunes up north near Traverse City called the Great Sleeping Bear sand dunes. As a young whipper-snapper, I would play on those huge hills of sand wishing I were conquering the in my very own Power Wheels Jeep. Unfortunately, Michigan's DNR didn't allow any type of motorized vehicles to play in the sand there — and my parents were never going to buy me one of them kiddie death-traps anyway. It seems that PGA card-holders Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia apparently no longer need to ask their mom's for the ok to play in the dunes. The two spent today reminiscing about lost childhoods without Power Wheels while playing with a Hummer H2, a Toyota FJ Cruiser and some ATV's in the sand sea north of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates after Casey's win yesterday in the 2007 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. And as you can see from the picture gallery below, the two played around like childhood BFF's. Of course I'd be acting like a little kid too if I got to hoon around in the world's largest sandbox and hit a little white ball all day as my job. Stupid professional golfers. – Ray Wert

Related:
Ferrari Theme Park Planned for Abu Dhabi [internal]

The Ferrari(TM) marketing machine churns on ahead of the company's public offering set for who knows when (Buy, Mortimer! Buy!). The Fiat Group brand is adding a theme park in Arab emirate Abu Dhabi to its line of licensed products. The park, which will reportedly be open by 2008, will house a racetrack and museum as well as rides and other attractions (prancing horses?), including hotels, retail and big-ticket residences. Sorry, Mr. Disney, methinks you've now got the second happiest place on earth.

Ferrari Theme Park for Abu Dhabi [TCC Confidential]

Related:
Winners Named in Ferrari Design Competition [internal]