10th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm to start from February 20th

Maruti Suzuki is all ready to kick off its 10th annual desert motorsport event Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm on 20th February, 2012 from the capital.

“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.” said the company statement.

The event will see ace rallyists competing against each other on the TSD (Time Speed Distance) format (barring Xtreme category) to cover over 3500 kms, in a span of six days.

The scrutiny of the rally cars will take place on February 18th and 19th in New Delhi.

The rally for the first time would also see the entry of truck category with four AMW trucks competing in the ENDURE category.

This time, the Desert Storm rally will pass through Gujarat and Rajasthan.“Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm builds on the night rallying experience by integrating it in the first leg itself. Night rallying was introduced last year. After flag 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 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.” said the company statement.

 Maruti Suzuki has also fielded its employee teams including an all women team driving the all new Swift.

Speaking on the popularity of Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager (Marketing), Maruti Suzuki said, “Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm has had an interesting and fascinating decade long journey. From a humble beginning of a few aspirants’ way back in 2002 to over 280 enthusiasts now, the rally has emerged as one of the most sought after motorsports events in the country. Every year we face the challenge of bringing more excitement and thrills in the rally. Our core team tries to build on this aspect either by adding newer routes or new categories and even modifying routes making them more challenging to drive on for the rallyists.”

He added, “It is these sustained efforts in motor sports that have made our motorsports events Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalayas, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare popular picks. It is heartening to see an ever increasing participation of motorsport enthusiasts every year in these rallies.”