Rana top pick at Desert Storm

[1]

Defending champion Suresh Rana will start the favourite in the 11th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm scheduled to be held in Rajasthan from February 18 to 23.

Close to 250 entrants from across the country will participate in the gruelling event. The rally will traverse about 2,200 kilometres across Rajasthan. This year will also witness the highest ever participation of rallyists in the six day challenge.
Rana has also won the Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya eight times. The Manali-based driver is considered the most formidable opponent in the Xtreme category (4x4) by all those looking for the top position in the event. He will drive a Grand Vitara in the event for Team Maruti.
Rana’s challenge will come from Gaurav Gill of Delhi, Karamjit Singh from Malaysia, Sunny Sidhu from Chandigarh and Lohit Urs from Mysore, all of whom will be driving for Team Mahindra.
Rajan Syal, Vijay Parmar, Harvijay Singh Bahia, Niaz Ali are the other names who have been regulars at the event.
Participants can compete in four-wheel drivers, two-wheel drives and motorbikes in Xtreme, Moto, Ndure and Xplore categories. In the Xtreme (4x4) category, considered the toughest in the event, the participation has gone up by 37.5 percent. From about 40 entries last year, the total number of entries is 55 this year.
The increase is even higher in the Xtreme (Moto & Quad) category. From 14 last year, the number has increased to 29 this year, a whopping 107 per cent increase in the number of bikers coming for the 11th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm.
“It is a matter of pride for us that Maruti Suzuki has made it possible for motorsport to reach the masses and flourish in the country. Our rallies now draw the best motorsport talent in the country, and also nurture new talent among youth each year,” said Mayank Pareek, managing executive officer of Maruti Suzuki.