Desert Storm 2019: Let the action begin!

This is the 17^th edition of the Desert Storm; organised by Northern Motorsport and backed by FMSCI, there are three categories event

The much-awaited Desert Storm 2019 has kick-started from DLF Saket in Delhi. The participants, including India’s Dakar Hero CS Santosh (Hero MotoSports) and three-time APRC champion Gaurav Gill (Mahindra Adventure), blazed into Bikaner for the opening stages.

More than 120 competitors and the Army is making a comeback!

The Desert Storm 2019 has three stages – Xtreme (34 teams, with driver and co-driver), Ndure (eight teams, with driver and co-driver) and Moto (40 riders). The Army is also back with its team, ready to take on the Thar Desert – they are taking part with 10 teams in the four-wheeler class and three teams in the Moto class. Other participants include Sandeep Sidhu, Lhakpa Tsering and Philippos Matthai leading the four-wheeler brigade, while TVSRacing’s R Nataraj, Aishwarya PM and Imran Pasha set the tone for the two-wheeler class. Also in the fray is Sathyaraj A from Hero MotoSports in the Moto class. Also making an entry for the first time is the Toyota Fortuner, ready to make a dent in Mahindras and Gypsys.

“This is the most amazing line-up that I have ever seen. Almost all the top manufacturers are here which is the best thing that could have happened to the sport”, said Gaurav Gill at the flag off.

Competitors have to brave extreme heat among other challenges

There are 10 special stages for the Xtreme and seven for the Moto category. According to the organisers, each stage will be tougher than the last and there is also a 200km special stage to test the endurance of man and machine in the extreme environment. Taking into consideration the extreme heat (hovering around 50°C in the desert, they say), the organisers have set the stages in the early morning or late evening, providing some relief to the competitors.

2000km in the next four days

For the Ndure category, it is TSD (time-speed-distance) format. This will provide useful experience to the participants in this class to take part in the Xtreme class in the next edition of Desert Storm. All competitors will cover a distance of 2000km in the next four days. The four-day rally will culminate in Jaisalmer.

With extreme heat, unforgiving terrain, and a combination of dunes and fast tracks, the Desert Storm is one of the toughest rallies in the country. Will the champions be able to tame the Storm? Let us wait and watch as the action unfolds.

Images by Northern Motorsport