Maruti suzuki’s annual motor sport to fl ag off in ND on Feb 20

HYDERABAD: Car market leader Maruti Suzuki is all set to fl ag off its much awaited annual desert motor sport event Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm on February 20 from New Delhi. In its 10th edition, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm would pass through the rugged, inhospitable and challenging terrains of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Ace rallyists will compete against each other on the TSD (Time Speed Distance) format (barring Xtreme category) to cover over 3500 km in a span of six days. In terms of route, the rally has done a 180 degree fl ip by starting from New Delhi as against Ahmedabad the previous year. Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm builds on the night rallying experience by integrating it in the fi rst leg itself. Night rallying was introduced last year. After fl ag off from New Delhi, the rally will undertake the testing 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 dry lands of Bhuj. Here on, the rally would enter the marshy landscape of the great Rann of Kutch in the fi nal lap. After six action packed days, the rally will culminate on February 25th in Ahmedabad. Maruti Suzuki has also fi elded its employee teams for the rally, including an all women team driving the all new Swift. For the fi rst time, this year’s rally would see introduction of truck category. Four AMW trucks will compete in the ENDURE category. Speaking on the popularity of Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, Maruti Suzuki Chief General Manager (Marketing) Shashank Srinivastava said Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm has had an interesting and fascinating decade long journey. ‘’It is the sustained efforts in motor sports that have made our motor sports events Maruti Suzuki Raidde- Himalayas, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare popular picks,’’ he said. Built around the TSD (time-speed-distance) format, the rally has been designed to offer an unadulterated joy of off- roading to motor sport enthusiasts. Depending on the endurance levels, the rally has been split into 3 categories XTREME, XPLORE and NDURE. At all levels it tests the nerve and grit of all participants and their machines. The Scrutiny of the rally cars will take place on February 18 and 19 in New Delhi.