Desert Dash 2010: Rallying It Up Across Rajasthan
When time came to test and race the best SUVs: FHM rides along on Cougar Motorsport's Desert Dash 2010 from Alsisar to Amanbagh, plus ten ways to prepare for a rally of your own.
When time came to test and race the best SUVs.
There are those who have a luxury SUV and have been dying to rev her. Then there are those who suddenly remember how much they spent on in the first place. And there are those who want to do all that but also want to play – Desert Dash 2010 was tailor-made for them. Organised by Cougar Motorsport, it was their third event to get together with auto enthusiasts and race along.
Competitors were ready to roar on BMW 320D, Toyota Fortuner, Audi Q5, Mitsubishi Pajero, Ford Endeavour, Skoda Yeti and many more.
31 competitors along with the people who they could tolerate in the navigator’s seat got together at Hotel Aman in New Delhi for a fabulous flag off. With their medical insurance in place and rally licenses in the dashboard, 13 cars were cleared to compete and test their high end machines from Alsisar to final destination Amanbagh.
A night well spent and it was off for the first leg of the journey took the roadsters from Alsisar to Lallgarh Palace in Bikaner. This 225 kilometer stretch also included going up (and down) three off-road stretches across the desert. Leg 1 ended with the much experienced crew of the Toyota Fortuner finishing first followed by first timers, Audi Q7 and Ford Endeavour.
Next day, it was time to speed up along and indulge in the furious with the second lap as the race ended with the final destination at Khimsar Dunes Village, approximately 100 kilometers outside Jodhpur. While the dunes took everybody’s breath away, they were enjoyed even more by the guys in the Toyota Fortuner who had their game on and managed to bag the top position once again.
Ford Endeavour moved up to the second place.
The rally ended with the Toyota Fortuner at the top followed by the Endeavour.
At night though, no one felt bad, they pulled their handbrake, put on their tuxes for the rally ball.
Ways to prepare for a rally
1 Buy/arrange a suitable vehicle (Premium Car , SUV in case of The Desert Dash)
2 Decide upon your crew
3 Complete the Registration and Documentation before time
4 Clear your schedule for the dates of the rally
5 Prepare for the essentials- GPS, calculators, stationary, spare tyres etc
6 Talk to the organisers regarding any special equipment which you might have to carry catering to a specific terrain
7 Talk to the organizers / past participants to understand how it actually works
8 Convey to the organizers any specific medical attention that your crew might require
9 Have an appetite for adventure & travel
10 Expect the unexpected. Always.
Other rallies to try
Gumball 3000
It is an annual 3,000 mile international road rally which takes place on public roads, with a different route around the world each year. It sees an annual entry of 120 cars, mostly exotic and powerful sports cars.
The Desert Storm Car Rally
It is considered as one of the toughest motorsports escapades in India. The rally passes through the terrains of Thar Desert, the rocky mountains of Aravalli and the slippery white sands of Rann of Kutch.
From the January 2011 issue of FHM India.
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