Car market leader Maruti Suzuki flagged off its annual southern motorsport rally Dakshin Dare 2015 from the Orion Mall at Bangalore today.
In its seventh edition, the rally this year sees more than 40 percent new participation. 105 teams comprising of 170 participants will cover a total of 2000 kms over a span of six days.
This year, the participants will navigate through a new route covering South India's most scenic, yet challenging terrains of Davangere, Shimoga, Hampi, Gulbarga, Chitradurga and Bellary. For the first time the rally culminates in the City of Pearls, Hyderabad, where the winners will be felicitated on August 8.
"Pioneered in 2009, Dakshin Dare is our effort to provide the thrill of off-road rallying experience to motorsport enthusiasts in South India. Dakshin Dare is a recipe of thrill, beauty, cars, talent, twists and turns. It challenges motorsport enthusiasts to achieve greater milestones in their motorsport journey. At Maruti Suzuki, we believe that rallies bring out the best in men and machines, and the increasing participation each year is encouraging and helps us strengthen such motorsport events," said Tarun Garg, Senior Vice President, National Sales and Network, Maruti Suzuki, while flagging off the rally.
"We believe that the best part of our rallies is that we have no restriction on participation. We encourage all motor enthusiasts to participate and enjoy the thrill of these events," he added.
The rally divided into three categories - Endurance, Ultimate Car and Ultimate Bike, the rally will cover a total distance of 2000 km.
The rally route is dotted with tarmac and uneven rocky paths. Expected rains along the route will make it even more gruelling.
Maruti Suzuki has been organizing some of the world's toughest motorsport rallies such as Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya (North India) and Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm (West India).
Over the years, the company has seen an overwhelming response across all the formats, giving birth to India's adventure motor sports stars such as Suresh Rana (nine times winner of Raid de Himalaya and three times winner of Desert Storm in Extreme Category, who targets to win his first Dakshin Dare title yet again). Beside defending champions Sandeep Sharma, Varun Davessar, Karthik Maruti and Sankar Anand, Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare 2015 will see participation from regions like Nashik, Manali, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Mysore, Kerala, Kolkata etc.
The participants are provided clearance for their vehicles after a strict one day scrutiny which includes various safety checks.
Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare 2015 is organized in partnership with Motorsports Inc., a leading motorsports organizer of India.
Maruti Suzuki creates opportunities for all to experience the thrill and joy of motorsport. The Maruti Suzuki motorsport calendar is packed with exciting motoring events. For families, there are events like Women's Rally and Treasure Hunt throughout the year, across cities. Maruti Suzuki Autocross brings action for amateurs and professionals, together. But what makes the Maruti Suzuki motorsport calendar an attraction in India (and internationally too), are Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare.
