Off-road racing gains traction in Iraqi Kurdistan - in pictures

Motoring aficionados in Iraqi Kurdistan upgrade their vehicles to increase performance in the mountains during adventurous competitions

Navigating their way through mud and narrow tracks in the mountains, 37 off-road drivers competed against each other in Sulaimaniyah, in Iraq's Kurdistan region. All photos: Reuters

Letting off steam and testing their upgraded vehicles, the drivers came from all over Iraq's Kurdish region to participate in the off-road racing festival that rewarded the best with medals.

A member of the public watching said: "We came here as fans, to this festival in Sulaimaniyah. It is a nice festival, we enjoyed watching it. Some groups [of drivers] joined from Sulaimaniyah, Erbil, Halabja, Haji Awa. They all came. And many fans came from Dohuk, Sulaimaniyah and Erbil."

Sponsored by the British Silverhook Engine oil company, which prepared the sinuous tracks, the festival was acclaimed by audiences and drivers as the largest off-road racing gathering in recent years. "This adventure needs an upgraded car, you can’t get a normal car and say I will join, you have to fully upgrade the engine, the gear, and tires. It is very expensive and we cover all the costs, we don't receive any support," said driver Ako Kamal.

Not all cars made it to the end of the track, as some had to be towed away, "but we are like brothers in this game", Kamal said. The festival had four tracks, the most difficult of which encompassed a muddy terrain.

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