Team-BHP - Desert Storm 2012

Northern Motorsport has announced opening of entries for Desert Storm 2012.

The tentative schedule is from February 18, 2012. The storm will be flagged on from Delhi and end at Ahmadabad reversing the last years direction.

Watch out for more inputs on this thread.

Early entries are open up to November 15, 2011
Standard entries up to December 15, 20111
Late entries will close on January 15, 2012

Link to online entry form is : Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2012

Sudevji,

We saw the Skoda yeti with its AWD system perform unsatisfactorily in the Ndure category this year.

I was thinking of the XUV500 AWD as a vehicle of choice for future participation in this category. While it does have some sort of propeller shaft locking under the Hill Descent system, it lacks a low range transfer case. Can you comment on the suitability of this vehicle for the Ndure event.

How would it compare with the Grand Vitara in events like the Desert Storm and 4 guna 4?

I've heard much malign of AWD systems offroad, but youtube videos of the Land Rover Freelander (with AWD) are quite admirable!

You see, I dont have the opportunity or experience to test the 4x4 capabilities of the XUV500 and wont like to invest INR 15L for a flop show!

Your comments please..

A AWD vehicle should be able to tackle the route with capable handling. Advantage of AWD vehicle is that unlike its 2WD-->4WD counter parts you do not have to come to a stop to engage the 4WD. And AWD offer better chances of keeping up the momentum.

Last year the Yeti had to withdraw not only for technical but personal reasons. I was personally confident that having come up to Bikaner they could have done the two sections remaining.

Please mark the words "capable" as I have seen Gypsy guys struck where a M800 puttered through!!

Early entry close on November 15, 2011. A record 37 registrations till yesterday evening across all categories. Online registration is at Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2012

Program begins on February 18, 2012 with scrutiny etc. Flag off will be from Delhi on February 20, 2012 and finish at Ahmadabad on February 25, 2011.

Recce for Rann (completed before monsoon hit that area) has thrown up possibility of a single section length ~400 kms!! New sections being scouted for Night #1 and Day #3 now to make things even more interesting.

TSD will have new alignments and slight change in format to make competition more intense. New route in Rann area already mapped. Mapping for Day #1 to #3 underway.

Also starting a thread on Desert Storm Travails (Travels?) in travelogue section soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev (Post 2567006)

TSD will have new alignments and slight change in format to make competition more intense. New route in Rann area already mapped. Mapping for Day #1 to #3 underway.

Can you elaborate ? please:

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev (Post 2571697)

Also in offing tighter service rules.

This was to be expected :)

I'm mostly in (have registered on the site) as a privateer, let's see. Better half is putting major senti that we need to finish DS in the GV!

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmonk (Post 2571863)

This was to be expected :)

I'm mostly in (have registered on the site) as a privateer, let's see. Better half is putting major senti that we need to finish DS in the GV!

Great ! It will be the "Revenge of the Fallen" clap:

A video showing night run through the desert. This was taken during the latest recce when the night fall meant that for some time the recce team was itself lost!!

Night Run : Desert Storm 2012 - YouTube

The small dot on the top horizon that appears and disappears is three day old moon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev (Post 2596028)

You need better lights :D