10th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally flags off

The 10th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally was flagged off here today amongst much fanfare, excitement and revving engines. The rally is all set to raise the bar of professional motorsports in the country yet again. Ace motorsport enthusiasts will compete in extremely harsh and inhospitable conditions.  The tough off road rallying experience brings out the best of man and machine. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shashank Srivastava Chief General Manager (Marketing) said, "We at Maruti Suzuki are committed to nurture and promote motorsport & motorsport enthusiasts in India. The success of Raid-de-Himalayas, Desert Storm Rally and Dakshin Dare which are now country’s most awaited and coveted events in the motorsport calendar of the country, are a true testimony of that. Every year, our effort is to enhance the excitement and thrill of these events. Our core team brings in newer route, adds additional sections and explores new segments to keep the thrills alive."

 
"Motorsports events are important for us from feedback perspective. These inputs form basis for product improvements," added Mr. Srivastava. Going beyond the 4-Wheels : adding a new category: This year’s rally would see introduction of a truck category. Four trucks have confirmed participation in the ENDURE category. Terrain and Route: In its 10th edition, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally would pass through the rugged, inhospitable and challenging terrains of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Ace rallyists will compete on the TSD (Time Speed Distance) format to cover over 3500 kms, in a span of six days. In terms of route, the rally has done a 180 degree flip by starting from New Delhi as against Ahmedabad the previous year. The rally will culminate at Ahmedabad on 25th February.
 
Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm builds on the night rallying experience by integrating it in the first leg itself. The challenge of Night rallying was introduced to the event, last year. After flag off from New Delhi, the rally will undertake the critical night rallying leg before entering destinations such as Sardarshahar, Bikaner and Pokaran. In its third leg, the Rally would cover treacherous terrains of the great Thar Desert in Jaisalmer and drylands of Bhuj. Here on, the rally would enter the marshy landscape of the great Rann of Kutch in the final lap. After six action packed days, the rally will culminate on February 25th in Ahmedabad. The 3500 km long rally will truly be a unique multi terrain driving adventure. Participation highlights: As in the past, the growing popularity of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm is evident with an increased participation in the rally. Like its sibling, Maruti Suzuki Raid-De Himalaya, Dessert Storm also has participants across India.

This year, in addition to regular participants, Maruti Suzuki has also fielded its employee teams for the rally, including a Ladies’ team driving the all new Swift. The rally also has participation by teams from several wings of the Indian armed forces. Based on the endurance levels, the rally is divided into 3 categories XTREME, XPLORE and NDURE. At all levels it tests the nerve and grit of all participants and their machines. Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm is being organized in partnership with Northern Motorsport for the 10th year in the running. Northern Motorsport is one of the leading motorsport organisations of India. It organises a series of challenging motorsport events including the Maruti Suzuki Autocross, the Rally of the North, etc. For over a decade now, Maruti Suzuki has been hosting a variety of challenging motorsport events. Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya for examples covers the most inhospitable and challenging motoring terrains in the Himalayas. Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare is the latest initiative to reach out to motorsports lovers in Southern India.