Entry list for Desert Storm 2012 opened a few days back. Online registration is at http://www.motorsport.in/ds2012/

Early entry close on November 15, 2011. A record 37 registrations till yesterday evening across all categories.

Program begins on February 18, 2012 with scrutiny etc. Flag off will be from Delhi on February 20, 2012 and finish at Ahmadabad on February 25, 2011.

Recce for Rann (completed before monsoon hit that area) has thrown up possibility of a single section length ~400 kms!! New sections being scouted for Night #1 and Day #3 now to make things even more interesting.

TSD will have new alignments and slight change in format to make competition more intense. New route in Rann area already mapped. Mapping for Day #1 to #3 underway.

sir,i ve put in my entry for ds 2012 in the xtreme category could you please tell us in detail about the 5 hour service rule for xtreme vehicles and when can we expect the SR to be out??

Limiting the total number of hours of service will level the playing field for all. There would be established parc-ferme at night halts and you will have to check out your vehicle from there to do service. After service you will check in the vehicle.

The time out of parc-ferme is the service time which will be totaled and cannot exceed the maximum time permitted.

For those who have been wanting to help out and "officiate" at the Desert Storm 2012

Registrations are open for volunteer official at Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2012 ( http://motorsport.in/ds2012 )

Fill in details as "New User" and choose "official" tick box before registering. You will get confirmation link by email that you need to complete.

Preference is given to those with motorsports experience but that does not mean that others cannot volunteer.

Desert Storm 2012
From the last few years the route team for Desert Storm has been increasing the toughness quotient of the event and have incorporated in to sections elements like:

Night Runs
Incorporated a few years back the night runs have added to the navigational challenge and immensely enhanced the competitive spirit.

Longer Sections
When doing route for first edition of Desert Storm the team used to be happy when we found a ten kilometer section. Now minimum outlook is eighty kilometer though we do not always get there. Maximum has been 300+ kilometers in a single section.

Deep Sand
We have incorporated more and more sand passages in to the route to give the true desert feel to the event. Riverbeds segments have earned notoriety for eliminations.

So what are the challenges for this year?
One: New alignment
Two: Sand Country
Three: More than fifty percent of distance is through totally new country side
Four: Limited service time allowed

Limited service? Accumulated service time?
This year we are going to establish parc-ferme after all leg end TC’s. Once you check in you are in parc-ferme and all regulations apply. If you take vehicle out for service an entry will be made by parc-ferme marshal and another when you return. The total service time will be accumulated and you cannot exceed the total service time allowed during the course of entire rally.

Start & Finish:
The ceremonial start will be at Delhi and the end would be at Ahmadabad. Exact locations would be notified to soon.

Will be back soon to add day by day description for the event.

February 20th:
In a major shift we will use NH 10 to head westward from Delhi instead of NH 8. Actual rally start will be from Sardarshahar, 150 kilometer North East of Bikaner. The first section would start at night, after dinner, from Kuber Palace, Sardarshahar ( Map Link : Google Maps )

Kuber Palace has fifty rooms available for those want to take a room to rest / refresh before the night run. We have worked out a discounted rate of Rs1800 per room on twin sharing basis for the night of February 20, 2012. For booking directly contact: Mahender Singh 9983931841 and give reference of "Rally"

Leg 1:
Traverse Sardarshahar to Bikaner

Starting before midnight the rally would do two sections in darkness before returning back to Kuber Palace for a breakfast regroup. There is a Shri Balaji temple complex across the road in case you need to seek divine blessings before you start.

Desert Fox
The first section is a short romp through sand country near Sardarshahar. The track runs off across many dune lines that would be a difficult climb but for the fact that repeated passages of camel carts have created gully's so that you can pass through if approached with speed. Many forks on the way means the navigator is kept busy figuring out which way to go.

Just when you are despairing of being able to hold the speed and steering wheel straight for a while you will come on to a brilliantly fast hard packed grit surface that dares you to go as fast as you can. Be careful of not sliding off in to ditches that line this segment and do not miss the looming ninety left that again takes you in to the sandy dunes.

Further on we leave the village track completely and head right across sandy farmland where hardly any track exists. Dependence on GPS is almost a must. If you do complete this ultra sandy detour we have another change of surface. We are sure every one would enjoy the hard grit surface so we found another longer patch that runs right till end of the section.

Hawk Owl
Aptly named after the bird that is found in abundance in this area. The second section takes you back towards Sardarshahar for that hot breakfast. But first you have to complete the section. No?

More wandering desert tracks that can confuse a visitor during day time. Competitors will do this at night. Navigators need to keep their wits about as there is a proposal not to issue GPS track but only way points for this section. Let us see. For your benefit all we can let on is that about one third of the track is common with the first run but in opposite direction.

Tounge Twister
After breakfast the rally heads westwards for another long passage through the sandy dune country. Some parts of the passage are common to the night run, sadly not the fast grit surfaces, and so expect the sand to have been churned up making drive through even more difficult. Village detours mark the extreme sandy part of the section and if you get bogged down you will need help so better have your tow ropes ready. We are requesting villagers to have a tractor or two ready to help out.

The end point of this section is a town on NH15 with a tongue twister of a name but you will get fuel and some chai paani here.

You are done for the day and now head south on NH15 to Bikaner for a well deserved shut eye.

Watch out for limited transport time and accumulated service time rule. Our advise do not break your car on day one. Save on service time accumulations till you really need them.

February 22nd

Traverse of the day : Bikaner to jaisalmer.

Xtreme

Camel Caravan:
The country west of Bikaner is full of sand dunes and has been in the eyes of route team for few years. In the past we always vetoed it out fearing our competitors were not up to it. This time we have taken the plunge. Not a plunge really but have put our toe in to test the waters. Much more excitement is possible if the entire rally does not get bogged down this year.
The section starts off with a fast flowing grit road where one can do drifts in spectacular fashion. Only watching out for a dump or two...rutted berms or two! Soon leaving the track we head in to dunes. Twisty turn and elevation changes are navigators problems while drivers grapple with sandy surface and loss of traction while trying to climb dune walls. Do not get trapped if the vehicle ahead of you is stuck. There is plenty of room both sides to use even if it does not look that way. Combination of grit surfaces inter spread with sandy drives describes this section. Just fifty odd kilometers of it.

Thar Express:
A thoroughly enjoyable section from last year is retained. Running in opposing direction with change in alignment through the middle the section is fast and has overall all hard surface. Two riverbeds crossings are only the deep sand areas where you need to take care of not getting stuck. If you are lucky you get to race against the rail traffic. Though we guess you would loose!

Night Halt:
Hotel Desert Tulip ( Google Maps )

Other accomodations:
Rajwada Palace
Rawal Kot
Himmatgarh Palace
Jwahar Niwas

The 10th edition of the annual Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm is scheduled to be held from the 18th to the 25th of February 2012.

Over the last decade the Storm has grown into the premier mega rally raid event of the subcontinent. The 10th edition of 2012 promises to be the most exciting Storm ever!
Over 130 Participants. Factory Teams from Maruti, Mahindra, Tata, Fiat, Polaris and a surprise new category vehicle entry.

Most of the top drivers including Gaurav Gill, Sunny Sidhu, Lohit Urs, Suresh Rana to name a few will be vying for the top honours. The battle is being joined by Mahindra who have taken up the challenge in their new XUV 500.

For 2012, the event will start from New Delhi and end 3,000 kilo meters later at Ahmedabad.

Schedule:
18th & 19th Feb:
Scrutiny & Document Check at The Great India Place, Noida

20th & 21st Feb:
Great India Place, Noida – Bikaner Palace, Bikaner
Ceremonial Flag Off & 2 night stages & 1 day stage in the Churu desert.

22nd Feb:
Bikaner – Fort Rajwada, Jaisalmer
First Introduction to the mighty Thar Desert. 2 Day Stages

23nd Feb:
Jaisalmer – Camp Tropic of Cancer, Rann of Kutch
1 day stage challenging the Sand Dunes & 1 night stage in the Rann

24rd Feb: Camp - Camp
The Mega 400 Km stage.

25th Feb:
Camp – Ahmedabad
A night stage out of the camp into a Grand Flag in & Rally Ball

Sir when will be final list will out

Abbas Taskeen is urgently looking for Co-Driver to participate in the Desert Storm 2012. His navigator has dropped out at last minute due to urgent reasons.
Abbas has participated in rallies since last year including Raid-de-Himalaya and has entered Desert Storm 2012 in a rally prepared Gypsy in N'dure category. He has GPS and TSDMeter available for use of navigator.
Please contact him directly if you are interested.
Email : abbastaskeen@hotmail.com, abbasenterprises52@gmail.com
Telephone : 9885839803

Hi Sudev.

Have came across to similar problems on facebook community of Maruti Suzuki Motorsports. Check out if it fulfills your requirement.

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Harshit

Wishing all the competitors all the very best! First stage starts at 12 midnight today..

Gaurav Gill and Musa are participating in a Mahindra XUV 500 in the Extreme section of the event!! Now this would be fun!!

Early reports from the 1st stage indicate that Sunny Sidhu was leading in his Vitara..way to go!

Last year's winner, Sunny Sidhu out of the competition. Reason: engine seize! - From the website

Sunny, Randeep Miglani out. Bad news for GVs....