The 12th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm will be flagged off from here tomorrow, with 137 participants in various categories completing the mandatory pre-event formalities and safety checks.
After ceremonial flag off, the participants will move to Sardarshahar where the first leg begins at midnight.
The rally would be held in three categories -- XTreme, NDure XPlore and Moto Quad and will transverse through Bikaner, Chattargarh, Jaisalmer, Sam, Pokharn, Gajnaur, Kagsar, Lakshmangarh, before culminating at Jaipur on March 1.
Often referred to as Mini Dakar, the rally comprises of five legs criss-crossing the deserts of Thar covering a gruelling 2200 kms.
Rally legend of India Suresh Rana will be aiming for a hat-trick of titles. Rana, the rallyist with the highest number of motorsport golds in the last two decades, is the defending champion at the rally.
Also spicing up the competition is three-time APRC champion Karamjit Singh, a Malaysian of Indian origin. They are competing in Storm Xtreme.
Rana and Karamjit will drive for Team Maruti. They are driving Grand Vitara for the rally.
Rana admitted that driving top-speed in the sand can be tricky.
"One has to maintain momentum so that one doesn't get stuck, and take on the dunes at the right speed and angle," said Rana.
He said that the two night stages at the Desert Storm - on the first and the last day of the event - could be the biggest challenge.
"The navigator's role is very strong here - there is no room for error. You need momentum, and you also need to make sure you don't get lost. During the night stages, if you can see 50 meters ahead, drive only that much, and refrain from wild risks. Getting lost in the wild desert outback can incur heavy penalties, and drive the best of competitors out of the event," he observed.
