Abbasi (centre), flanked by Farahat, Ghalaieeny, Andrew and Da Silva, announces the 12th Harley-Davidson Owners Group Middle East and North Africa Rally yesterday. PICTURE: Hussain Ali
As many as 500 bikers from across the world are expected for the 12th Harley-Davidson Owners Group Middle East and North Africa Rally, being held in Qatar from March 22 to 24, it was announced yesterday.
Nasser Bin Khaled Holding and Harley-Davidson exclusive dealer in Qatar, Nasser Bin Khaled Powered Sports, are hosting the event, a first for the country.
“The annual HOG Mena Rally is a top fixture on the calendar of international biking events and there is always fierce competition to win the hosting rights,” NBK Holding chief executive officer Ayman Abbasi said.
A ride by HOG members to Al Khor and a custom bike show at the Doha Exhibition Centre featuring about 150 bikes in 30 categories are scheduled for March 23 in addition to a range of games for riders, passengers, families and kids and some charity events.
The next day, the bikers will have a long ride to the historical fort of Zubarah and proceed to the Lusail International Circuit before heading to the Doha Corniche for the grand parade, followed by an awards ceremony to honour the HOG chapters.
“It will be a spectacular event for riders in Qatar and all Harley bike lovers across the region,” explained NBK Powered Sports general manager
Abdel Kader Ghalaieeny.
Harley-Davidson brand manager Robert Andrew said a majority of the riders will be bringing their own bikes by shipping them from across the world.
“By winning the rights to host the HOG Rally, Qatar has added another milestone to its track record as a hub for international events,” Abbasi observed.
In a message, Paul de Jongh (country manager, Harley-Davidson Mena office) attributed the American motorcycle brand’s success in the region to the hard work of its partners.
“We are proud of what NBK, the HOG chapter in Doha and the team at Harley-Davidson Doha are doing to provide a platform where the biggest group of friends in the world can meet and have fun together,” he added.
While pointing out that the safety side of the drive is important, HOG instructor Luis Da Silva said road teams will be provided training for the event.
Giving a background of HOG, Andrew explained that more than 1mn members and more than 1,400 chapters worldwide make HOG the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organisation in the world.
Harley-Davidson, founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1903, sells heavyweight (over 750cc) motorcycles designed for cruising on highways.
Popularly known as Harleys, they have a distinctive design and exhaust note. The bikes are especially noted for the tradition of heavy customisation that gave rise to the chopper style of motorcycle.
Except for the modern VRSC model family, current Harley-Davidson motorcycles reflect the style of classic Harley designs.
Harley-Davidson sustains a loyal brand community which keeps active through
clubs, events, and a museum.
Beginning in 1920, a team of farm boys, who became known as the ‘hog boys,’ consistently won races. In 1983, the Motor Company formed a club for owners of its product taking advantage of the long-standing nickname by turning ‘hog’ into the acronym HOG for Harley Owners Group.
HOG was established in 1983 to build on the strong loyalty and fraternity of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts as a means to promote not just a consumer product, but a lifestyle.
In 1991, HOG went international, with the first official European HOG Rally in Cheltenham, England.
HOG benefits include organised group rides, exclusive products and product discounts, insurance premium discounts, and the Hog Tales newsletter. A one year full membership is included with the purchase of a new, unregistered Harley-Davidson.
In Qatar, there has a long and close collaboration between the Harley-Davidson Doha, Qatar Chapter and local charities. HOG Chapter Doha has helped in fundraising campaigns and bringing awareness to the local charity causes through local rides and donations from HOG events and shows.
HOG and rider services manager (Mena) Ahmed Farahat was also present at the announcement event.

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