February 23 will mark the 13th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally, which will be flagged from New Delhi. This will be a six day event and will cover a total distance of 2300 kilometres beginning from the capital of New Delhi. The rally will take place through Sardarshahar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and will finish at Jaipur on March 1. The Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm rally this time was special as it included a night stage of 150 kilometres for the first time. There have been registrations of 130 teams so far.
There will be three categories this time for the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm – Moto Quad, NDure XPlore and Xtreme. The night stage will begin at Sardarshahar a midnight and will reach up to Bikaner. Thar Desert will play a major part in hosting the event. The defending champion Dakar rally rider, C.S. Santosh will defend the championship on his Suzuki. Approximately, 20 female riders have signed up for the rally this time.
Manohar Bhat, Vice President of the Marketing Division of Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Maruti Suzuki has been at the forefront of extreme motorsports in India. An extreme endurance event of marathon proportions, Desert Storm is one of India’s most gruelling rallies. Motorsport rallies bring out the best in man and machine and we are looking forward to exceedingly exciting times ahead.”
