Leading passenger vehicle
maker, Maruti Suzuki flagged off the Desert Storm from GIP Mall on January 29,
2017. In its 15th edition, the rally will cover a total of 2000 kms over a span
of 6 days. The rally lovers will get a chance to navigate through Rajasthan’s
picturesque yet challenging terrains of Hanumangarh, Bikaner and Jaisalmer to
conclude in Jodhpur on February 4th wherein the winners will be felicitated
through a prize winning ceremony.
Speaking about this
adventurous journey, R S Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales,
Maruti Suzuki noted, “Pioneered in 2003, Desert Storm has been an effort to
replicate our success in off-road rallying in the Western region of the
country. The perfect recipe of thrill and competition challenges motorsport
enthusiasts to achieve greater milestones in their motorsport journey. At
Maruti Suzuki, we believe that rallies bring out the best in men and machines,
and the increasing participation each year is encouraging and helps us
strengthen such motorsport events. With no restriction on participation, we
encourage all motor enthusiasts be it amateur or professional, man or woman
from all regions to gain as much experience as they can from these events.”
The rally features three
categories – XTreme, NDure, Xplore and Moto. The rally will also see 10 women
participants, which includes Bani Yadav and Sarah Kashyap podium finishers of
previous editions of Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, Dakshin Dare and Raid de
Himalaya.
Known as mini Dakar, Maruti
Suzuki Desert Storm 2017 will feature a 207 kms stage which is the longest
stage in Indian Motorsport history.
Participants are provided
clearance for their vehicles after a strict one day scrutiny check prior to the
flag-off ceremony. As challenging as the rally is expected to be, all the
participants are provided with on-ground safety measures at regular intervals
during the course of the rally.