More than 130 participants have registered for Desert Storm 2015. The six-day extreme event across categories (XTreme, NDure XPlore and Moto Quad) covers 2300 kms, starting from New Delhi to drive through Sardarshahar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and concludes at Jaipur on March 1, 2015. Participants will need to overcome varied terrains, sand dunes, dried up lake beds and difficult routes.
For the first time, Desert Storm 2015 sees a 150km long night stage organised. Following completion of mandatory pre-event formalities and safety checks, and ceremonial flag off in New Delhi, participants move to Sardarshahar where the 150 kms long first leg begins at midnight. Desert Storm 2015 comprises five competitive legs across sections of Thar desert.
Defending champion and Dakar rally winner, CS Santosh aims for a title this year too. He represents Team Suzuki on a Suzuki RMX 450. Close to 20 women participants will contest the Desert Storm rally this year. Mahohar Bhat, Vice President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India says Maruti Suzuki leads in extreme motorsports in India.
CS Santosh eyes a top-20 finish in 2016 Dakar Rally, having finished 36th of 168 participants in his debut rally traversing 9,000 km in 14 days. He is the first Indian to participate in Dakar, and successfully complete the rally. Having ridden a KTM bike, Santosh looks to finish in the top 20 next year, and continue improving. Alongwith Desert Storm, he has also the Raid de Himalaya. He also had two top 10 finishes at Qatar and Dubai in 2014, and was signed on by Red Bull just before Dakar 2015.