Country’s the largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki yesterday flagged-off the fifth edition of Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare rally from Bangalore’s Phoenix Mall. Over 147 motorsports enthusiasts from across the country have come together to participate in Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare 2013. This year, Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare will cover a distance of 2000 kms in five days.
Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare 2013 is guaranteed to be an even more exciting affair with two distinct categories for 4-wheelers – Extreme’ and ‘Endurance’ For corporate, there is a corporate sub category where winners of the Maruti Suzuki Corporate Treasure Hunt from across Southern India have earned free entry. A first this year will be “Scooter” category in the two wheelers segment. Leading manufacturers, racing teams and drivers from around the country have confirmed participation.
This year 95 vehicles had entered, of which 85 passed the scrutiny. Compared to the start list of 99 motorsports enthusiasts in fourth edition, it is 147 this year, registering a growth of around 57% in overall participation.
Out of the 147 participants, 30 are in 4-wheeler Extreme category and 94 in 4-Wheeler Endurance. Besides, 23 bikers are participating in the ‘Extreme’ Bikes category including 5 scooters. Each participant will cover between 300 to 600 kms per day, inclusive of special and transport stages. Among the participants this year will be five team from Maruti Suzuki, two team of doughty women rallyists from Hyderabad and Delhi, and a couple team from Bangalore.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manohar Bhat, Vice President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “It has been decade and half since Maruti Suzuki started promoting motorsports in the country with events like Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, Auto Cross, Supra SAE, Corporate and fun-filled family Treasure Hunt to name a few. In its fifth year, Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare has established itself as an event that brings the thrill of motorsports to the door steps of our motorsport enthusiasts in South India. We are seeing increased participation year after year, with ‘The Dare’ becoming larger, more competitive and exciting. During these motoring events, extensive feedback is obtained on the performance of Maruti cars in extreme conditions – on road and off-road.”
The rally spread over 34 special stages with monsoons in background, promises to test the nerve and grit of all participants and their machines in a unique multi-terrain adventure. After the ceremonial flag off in Bangalore, Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare 2013 will undertake a gruelling journey through a multitude of dense forests, river beds, hill stations, wind mill farms, hair-pin bends, and tea and coffee plantations and end in Bengaluru on August 9th.
The Rally will have night halts at tourist hot spots like Mysore, Ooty and Coimbatore while it traverses through exotic locations like Chikmagalore, Waynad, Palani, Kodaikanal, Pollachi, Valparai among others. The relentless monsoon showers in the region will, without doubt, prove to be daunting as the rallyists battle the curving, narrow roads snaking along Western Ghat and Nilgiris.
Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare 2013 is being organized in partnership with Motorsports Inc., a leading motorsports organizer of India, for the fifth year in the running.
Check out more pictures after the jump.
Also see – Suresh Rana & Ashwain Naik maintain lead on day 2 of Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally
Image Credit – Maruti Suzuki Motorsport (on Facebook)
