Heat, dry and dust are just a part of the Desert Rallies. Watching these drivers and riders zoom past leaving a dust trail behind them in desert of Bikaner makes you realise on the amount of effort and practice put in by the participants to just survive on this tricky terrain. The day one race which started past 2.30 PM continued till about 10.00 in the night (Yes, it meant driving in pitch darkness).
By the end the day, the results for the first day covering a distance of about 40kms were announced. Until now, in the Xtreme category Suresh Rana, a popular name in motorsport in the country had been leading the race with a time of 1:28:01. Close on heals, there was Aabhishek Mishra who competed strong against the reigning champion with a time of 1:28:34. The third position on day one in same category was held by Gaurav Chiripal who has managed to complete the first leg with a timing of 1:30:32.
In the Xplore category based on the time speed distance format in nine sections and distance of 106ms, Nipun Agrawal had been leading first leg with a minimal penalty time of 00:09:07. Vishal Choudhary claimed the second position with a penalty time of 01:13:12. The third position on day one in this category was held by Surendra Gopu with a penalty time of 01:30:04.
In the Ndure category based on the time speed distance format in five sections and distance of 74ms, Lt Col Sukhjeet Singh claimed the first position with a penalty time of 00:21:00. Following close, Gurpinder Singh with a penalty time of 00:21:55 claimed the second position. Ruchit Jadhaw earned the third place with a penalty time of 00:22:34.
In the Moto category where riders were expected to cover a distance of about 40kms, we had C.S. Santosh leading the race with a time of 01:10:44. The second position was earned by Aaron Mare with a total time of 01:16:31. The third positioned has been claimed by Sanjay Kumar with a time of 01:19:39.
Day 2
Making things interest in the second leg of the Desert Storm, Aabhishek Mishra who missed the top spot by mere 33 seconds has earned the first place in leg two with total time of 03:44:07. Suresh Rana who had been leading in the first leg, now comes a close second with a time of 03:44:45. Stealing the third position from Gaurav Chiripal, Raj Singh Rathore has now emerged third with total time of 03:53:11.
In the Leg two Moto category, C.S. Santosh continues to impress and holds the leading position with a total time of 03:03:06. While the second and third position continues to be held by Aaron Mare and Sanjay Kumar with total time of 13:05:20 and 03:21:27 respectively.
