10th edition of Desert Storm rally from Feb 20

New Delhi: Close to 300 enthusiasts will compete in the 10th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm rally, beginning here on February 20.

Depending on the endurance levels, the rally has been split into three categories -- XTREME, XPLORE and ENDURE, the organisers said in a statement. The event will see countries top rallyists compete against each other on the Time Speed Distance (TSD) format to cover a distance of over 3,500 kms in a span of six days, the statement added. Starting 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 25 in Ahmedabad. The rally for the first time would also see the introduction of truck category with four AMW trucks competing in the ENDURE category. The scrutiny of the rally cars will take place here on February 18 and 19. "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," Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager (Marketing), Maruti Suzuki said. PTI