Gill up for cross-country challenge

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Gaurav Gill

Ace rallyist Gaurav Gill, who has held top spot among the Asian drivers in the world rally rankings, is keen on his first challenge on the Indian motorsport circuit in 2013 — the 11th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm. The six-day cross-country event will be held in the wild outback of Rajasthan from February 18 to February 23.

The 2,200 kilometre route, will see highly challenging conditions, tough stages and spectacular terrain, ranging from desert stretches and vast salt flats to simple dirt tracks.
Gill, who will drive for Team Mahindra, will have a strong contender in Suresh Rana (Team Maruti).
The Manali-based Rana has won the Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya, one of the top 10 toughest motorsport rallies of the world, a record eight times.
“My team mates are going to be my major rivals and competitors,” said Gill, who will drive along with Karamjit Singh of Malaysia, Lohit Urs of Bengaluru and Sunny Sidhu of Chandigarh.
Gill will compete in a Mahindra XUV 500 for the event this year — the same as the last edition, where he could not finish the race. Leaving behind the disappointments of 2012, Gill said he was eyeing a good show this time. “I am looking forward to the action,” he said.
“This is a six-day cross-country event. The sand is challenging for the engine, and puts much load and pressure on the vehicle. The Desert Storm is longer and definitely a lot slower than what I do. But a battle is a battle, and I’m ready.”