The 16th edition of Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm was flagged off from Great India Place mall in Noida on March 18. Over 250 participants have enrolled in this year’s edition, which is the highest number till date. The competitors will take part in four categories like Xtreme, NDure, Xplore and Moto. During the night stage, competitors will traverse 160km in Jaisalmer. With day temperatures touching 40°C, competitors will have a tough time battling the heat in the desert conditions.
Six time winner Suresh Rana will be representing Maruti Suzuki Motorsport in the Xtreme category with 50 other competitors. In the Moto category, defending champion R Nataraj from TVS Racing and Dakar hero and Team Hero factory rider CS Santosh are seen competing in the rally along with 48 other opponents. The 2018 Desert Storm rally witnesses twelve women participants including professional rally driver Shuchi Thakur and national two-wheeler racing champion Aishwarya Pissay.
Sanjeev Handa, vice president, marketing, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “In order to connect with the youth of India, Maruti Suzuki keeps the thrill and adventure alive in participants and audience through pioneering motorsport rallies. Considered as the perfect blend of thrill, beauty and cars, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm has been the most anticipated rally set in the dunes. Each year, we try and bring in more excitement and challenges to raise the bar higher. The longest night leg and 70 per cent of new tracks in the overall rally route is our answer to ‘what’s new?’”