Customshow Emirates 2015

Abu Dhabi is more than just an emirate in the desert; it is known for its race track, Ferrari World, and as the venue for the current „Fast & Furious“ Films.

Everything related to gasoline and speed is the focus of public attention, and so, as expected, the Emirates Custom Show was a complete success for the organizers. After the organizers moved the location from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi, interest from many exhibitors and visitors from Europe and the USA was greater than ever before. Whether as exhibitors or visitors combining the show with a vacation, various dealers and manufacturers traveled to the event in both cars and motorcycles. In keeping with tradition, the fair was opened by the sheikhs of the region, who showed keen interest in the cars and bikes.

The bike show filled up on the evening before the event, until the last bikes from Kuwait arrived at 1:30 a.m., and was of a quality never before seen in the Middle East, with the trade fair shining with international participation. As in Daytona in the past, some bike builders built bikes for this event to compete with the international competition. Thanks to the cooperation with Swiss Custom and DHL Global Forwarding, the bike show winners from Switzerland were on site and were able to not only participate in the bike show, but also make interesting contacts.

A 12-member jury from seven countries evaluated the bikes in 21 categories, which did not make the task easy for the judges, led by Chief Judge Frank Sander (Thunder Media), as the bikes were not only of high quality but also had completely different styles. In the end, AT Cycles won Best of Show and the Radical Trophy with its „Stage 3," which the competition had already expected without envy, as this handmade bike is a real technical highlight. Michael Naumann from Germany and Danny Schneider from Switzerland also won their classes and inspired local bike builders to take on new projects. In the remaining categories, a hubless streetfighter by Sami from the Dubai Riders stood out, winning the Best of Show title from V2.

The Jung Guns from Switzerland only managed to take second place with their vintage bike, but they left it behind in Abu Dhabi with a collector who purchased it directly at the show. Another highlight was the bike from Kuwait Choppers, with 32-inch wheels at the front and rear, a turbocharger, and engraved brass inlays on the tank and frame, which will be exhibited at the trade fair in Zurich next year. Well-known companies such as Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde, TT Custom from Turkey, who built the bikes for the movie „The Expendables 3," as well as Jury Shif from Russia, Custombikes Dubai, Dubai Streetfighters, Steel 2 Silver, Indian, and Victory also exhibited.

With approximately 12,000 visitors, 126 exhibitors, and an area of 16,000 square meters of hall space and 12,000 square meters of outdoor space, there was something for everyone. In the outdoor area, the drifters from the United Arab Emirates once again really turned up the heat. They thrilled the audience in the stands with 2-wheel and 4-wheel drifts on 2 and 4 wheels. By the end of the event, the grounds were completely covered in rubber, and the local tire dealer couldn't wipe the grin off his face. In addition to the bike section, there was also a car show featuring sports cars, classic cars, and US cars, as well as a SEMA (area?) section, as the Custom Show Emirates is also SEMA Middle East. To offer something to the mechanically minded audience, this year there was an engine battle in the car section, in which two V8 engines were built up and then had to prove their power in a pickup truck.

With 458 hp, the US team from Redline Motorsports won the battle after 10 qualifying runs against 423 hp from the Al Numary Team from the UAE. Another decision was pending at the Biker Build Off and ended with a minor sensation. The competing teams were Lycan Customs from Dubai and Engels Schmiede from Germany. Both companies have only been around since 2011 and both owners are extremely young, making this the youngest BBO ever in Abu Dhabi. Both teams had come up with something special for the BBO and worked flat out for three days. It should be noted that during the BBO, the opponents became friends, praising each other on stage despite language barriers, showing respect for each other's bikes, and supporting each other with advice and assistance. Lycan Customs from Dubai built a bike with a frame they designed themselves, which was specially manufactured in the USA, a Pan-Shovel engine from Chopper Kulture, and two custom-made 30" spoked wheels. The bike also stood out with its eye-catching paint job and various gold-plated parts, which are the trademark of Omar and his team.

In addition, the Arabian Bike is perfectly crafted with many details and would cause a sensation even at bike shows in Europe and the USA. The German contribution from Engels Schmiede is built on a custom-built frame, with the motor integrated into the frame. A self-milled 18″ rear wheel and a self-made 30″ front wheel, as well as a custom fork with Naumann Airride, are the highlights of the German bike. With an NHPower drive system, Jekill and Hyde exhaust, Schrammwerk paintwork, and self-designed electronics that control the entire bike, including the M. Naumann Airride, via a touch display, two equally matched bikes were on display on the BBO stage. Work continued on the Engels Schmiede bike until the last second, while Lycan Custom was already busy cleaning when Frank Sander gave the signal to start the engines.

Both bikes started up, and there were tears of joy among the young teams. The voting, which was carried out by the participants of the bike show, exhibitors, and the audience, was conducted under the watchful eyes of Swen Naber from Germany, Maher from Custombikes Dubai, and two local independents. In the end, Engels Schmiede won the vote and is now the first European and youngest Middle East BBO champion. The trophy was presented by last year's winner, Mario from Chopper Kulture, and both teams once again praised each other's work, although the Engels Schmiede team only realized they had actually won during the evening celebration. Both teams now want to start a joint project at some point, which everyone can look forward to.

After three days of the trade fair, everyone involved had nothing but positive things to say, which should make the event a fixed item on the 2016 calendar, especially as the market for custom bikes and cars is growing steadily there.

Text and image credits: Frank Sander

Information: http://www.customshowemirates.com