KHOBAR: Fans flocked to Khobar’s Corniche to soak up the Formula E atmosphere at the ‘Touring E-Village,’ set up to promote next month’s Saudia Ad Diriyah E Prix. Running from Nov 8 to 10, the Khobar event is a three-day festival of racing, culture, music and entertainment. Some of the activities include racing simulators as well as an alternative reality experience, giving fans a firsthand taste of the technology of the future. Bavaria Zaman, who attended on Thursday with husband Rashid Khan and children Nawal, Daiin and Nashin, said: “I think it’s fantastic. The kids are running around and having fun. We did not know all of this was happening until we came down, we just knew there would be a race in December. It’s great that all of this is right here in Khobar”. Neji Ayed who took daughter Diya and son Khalid to the event said: “This is very fun. I think Formula E is a great sport and we look forward to the race in Ad Diriyah.” 33-year-old Yazan Al-Badr said: “I wanted to go see a race in Bahrain. But now we have a better version in Saudi Arabia, which is great. I think that this is really exciting.” The Khobar event is also playing host to the ABB FIA Formula E Road to Ad Diriyah Esports Championship, before moving to Jeddah on Nov. 22 and finally to Ad Diriyah on December 13, which will see contestants completing qualifying laps in person and online. The 16 fastest participants will be invited to Ad Diriyah to battle it out live for a shared prize of SAR 1,000,000 on December 14 and 15 at the race. Tickets for the Saudia Ad Diriyah E Prix are on sale at the Touring E Village throughout the weekend. The event on Dec. 13 to 15 is the first in a 10-year partnership between ABB FIA Formula E and the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia (GSA) and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF). For more information about ‘SAUDIA AD DIRIYAH E-PRIX’ including schedule and tickets, please visit: https://www.ad-diriyah-eprix.com/en/