Jaisalmer: Post travelling an exhausting distance of approximately 100 kms around the hamlets of Kuchri and Bandha, the motorists began Leg 4 of the Desert Storm Rally. With each day passing, the rally is proving to be a test of dedication and fitness for all the motorists. The competition is becoming tougher with a pressing need to overlook the harsh weather and grueling terrains and focus on taking a lead in their respective rallying categories.
The battle is growing more and more intense by the hour, with unpredicted twists and turns taking place in the sand dunes.
Leg 4 of the Desert Storm 2016 had one competitive stages of 100 Kms, between Kuchri and Bandha.
Abhishek Mishra from Jaipur and his navigator PV Srinivas Murthi continued to reign supreme as they lead the category by clocking 08:17:24 Hrs. Manali man Suresh Rana and his navigator Ashwin Naik in their Grand Vitara, continue to trail at the second position by clocking in 08:27:55 Hrs, trying hard for the first place. Amanpreet Ahluwalia and Virender Kashyap are at the third position by clocking 09:11:56 Hrs in their Maruti Gypsy.
In the XTreme bike category, rallyist C.S Santosh continues to lead at 06:48:10 Hrs followed by Aravind KP at 07:32:12 Hrs who stood at the second position yesterday also. At the third position stands Sanjay Kumar at 08:06:08 Hrs.
The amalgamation of ancient and the medieval era architecture and the tough terrains made a perfect mix of a picturesque and challenging scenario. However, the same honey golden sand tested the mettle of the bikers and car rallyists’ mettle to the core.
Speaking at the end of 4th day, Suresh Rana, more popularly known as the Manali man, 9 times winner of Raid De Himalaya said, “The beauty of the desert is just a mirage for a rallyists. The soaring temperatures and shifting sand dunes are unforgiving. A slight error could prove fatal at this point of time. I have been a regular at the Maruti Suzuki Desert storm, however, every time the challenges are as new as the first time. We are hoping for a good day ahead.”
In NDure category motorists travelled the same distance as XTreme teams but in the Time Speed Distance format in the Leg4 of the event. SK Ajgar Ali continues to hold the lead with his navigator MK Mohammed Musthafa with a day end penalty of 00:06:08 Hrs followed by Vishnu Singh and his navigator Adithya Anthony with a day end penalty of 00:08:28 Hrs. At the third position was Nikunj Toshniwal and Mokhtiyar Ahmed with a day end penalty of 00:43:07 Hrs.
In the Xplore category, Pratap and his navigator T Nagarajan fought their way to the top, leaving Karthick Maruthi and S.Shankar Anand to the second position at the end of day 4, while Rajesh Chalana and Arindam Ghosh maintained their third position.
At the end of the day, the participants enjoyed and appreciated the folk dance, music and cuisine at the Sam Dunes. The rally tomorrow will start from Kuchri and see participants compete in and around Turkon ki Basti and Majid ki Basti.
RESULTS AFTER LEG 4:
XTreme Cars – End of Leg 4
1. Abhishek Mishra & PV Srinivas Murthi - 08:17:24 Hrs
2. Suresh Rana & Ashwin Naik - 08:27:55 Hrs
3. Amanpreet Ahluwalia & Virender Kashyap - 09:11:56 Hrs
NDure Cars – End of Leg 4
1. SK Ajgar Ali & MK Mohammed Musthafa - 00:06:08 Hrs
2. Vishnu Singh & Adithya Anthony - 00:08:28 Hrs
3. Nikunj Toshniwal and Mokhtiyar Ahmed with a day end penalty of 00:43:07 Hrs.
Xplore Cars – End of Leg 4
1. Pratap & T Nagarajan – 00:09:44
2. Karthick Maruthi & S.Shankar Anand – 00:11:01
3. Rajesh Chalana & Arindam Ghosh – 00:48: 52
Moto Quad - End of Leg 4
1. C.S Santosh - 06:48:10 Hrs
2. Aravind KP - 07:32:12 Hrs
3. Sanjay Kumar - 08:06:08
