The rally would cover 2,000 km via Shimoga, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Bellary and Mangalore in five days. Photo: marutisuzukimotorsport.comBangalore: An intrepid band of 120 rallyists would set out from here on Sunday, August 2, for the seventh edition of South India’s most popular off-road motorsport event – Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare. The speedsters would challenge a true multi-terrain course, which include tarmac, gravel, slush and dirt, along the scenic stretches between Bangalore and Hyderabad.
With around 50 per cent rookie participation this year, the five-legged rally would cover 2,000 km via Shimoga, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Bellary and Mangalore in five days. The participants will compete with each other in three categories – Ultimate Car, Ultimate Bike and Endurance.
Maruti Suzuki, which has an impressive motorsports legacy of over two decades, has been organising rallies such as Raid-de-Himalaya and Desert Storm for many years now.
Talking about the rising popularity of Dakshin Dare, Vinay Pant, General Manager, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki, said: “It has been an incredible voyage since the rally’s inception in 2009, six years ago. I believe each year brings with itself a bunch of surprises and novel achievements, especially with the kind of zest motorsport enthusiasts have in them.
“After the success of rallies such as Raid-de-Himalaya in the North and Desert Storm in the West, we realised that the southern region of the country possesses exceptionally challenging routes and natural beauty that should be touched upon as well - and that’s how the foundation of Dakshin Dare was set. Seven years on and the rally has reached greater heights with every passing year.”
The seventh edition of the rally would witness Autocross winner Den Thimmaiah pitting himself against nine-time Raid-de-Himalalya title-holder Suresh Rana and defending champions Sandeep Sharma and Varun Davessar, both in Ultimate category, along with Karthik Maruti and Sankar Anand in Endurance. Dakshin Dare 2015 will also have ace woman rallyist Bani Yadav who has Raid-de-Himalaya, Desert Storm and Autocross titles to her credit.
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