Maruti Suzuki rally: On-song Rana keeps opponents at bay

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Rana takes over the Golden City of India. Historians might frown at the thought that someone who is not a Rajput is set to rule the historic city of Jaisalmer. But this is not a rehash of the historic books, nor is Rana a king.

Suresh Rana, multiple-time Raid de Himalaya champion and 2009 Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm rally winner showed his warrior-instincts as he and his navigator Ashwin Naik overcame the torrid terrains from Sardarshahar to Jaisalmer — spanning 410.23 kms — to emerge the leader in the Xtreme category as the second leg of the Desert Storm concluded here on Wednesday.

His chariot? A favourite among the cross-country rallyists — the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy. In Leg One, when many faced difficulties as they came down the sand dunes from Sardarshahar to Bikaner, Rana showed just why he is a favourite when it comes to cross-country rallying by taking a considerable lead early on.

The duo continued their excellent grip over the Thar Desert as they kept their closest challengers — Anwar Khan-Shadab Parvez and Abhishek Mishra-Hanumanth Singh — at bay.

Rana was also helped by a technical snag that hit Leg One-runners-up Team Army Adventure comprising Lieutenant Colonel Subosh Verma and his navigator Colonel Rajesh Singh.

Meanwhile, Gaurav Gill, the current Indian National Rally Championship title holder, continued to face trouble with his car, the 4-wheel drive Mahindra XUV 500. The suspension issues continued to nag him in Stage Four.

However, Gill and his navigator Musa Sherif, who were placed at 32nd after Leg One, showed incredible endurance and driving skills as they set up the fastest time in the Stage 5 — the last stage in Leg Two. However, carrying a penalty of 10 hours and 15 minutes from Leg One, it would require nothing short of a miracle for Gill and Sherif to make it to the top 5.

Also, unlike Leg One, the second Leg did not face many dropouts and breakdowns. “Most of us were riding too aggressive on Leg One, which the tyres could not handle in this type of sand,” said Major Mihir Ghoodi, the navigator of another Army Adventure team driven by Lt Col Ashish Suhag, adding, “This time we reduced the air pressure on the tyres to get the effect of a broader wheelbase.”

Provisional Results (After Leg Two):

1. Suresh Rana and Ashwin Naik
2. Anwar Khan and Shadab Parvez
3. Abhishek Mishra and Hanumanth Singh.