MARUTI SUZUKI DESERT STORM 2010 |                                                    A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE BY DEEPA MALIK

northern motorsports has been organising this rally for past eight years. they are the people who along with maruti suzuki have evolved this rally in to a format that tests the man and the machine' pushing endurance levels and testing the harmony that the driver shares with his machine... they take the competitors through a gruelling journey of almost 3000 kms through the vast thar desert and rann of kutch mostly on sandy and offroad tracks in just over six days .it was flagged off from delhi and went on through paota bikaner pokran jaiselmer bhuj rann of kutch and finished in udaipur..competitors have to find their way only on the basis of the road book [ which has just the graphical signs and compass headings depicting travel directions but no road map ]. the night driving is most difficult as desert looks totally different at night and relating the road book signs and matching the tracks is quite challenging . besides you have to complete the distance on a given time and speed limit so getting your vehicle stuck in sand and waiting hours for some help is just not a good idea... you have to be a careful driver or else lateness can cause elimination

MY EXPERIENCE IN THE RALLY

for me the rally was a platform used to put across a message that disability is not a hindrance in our lives...given a chance we are capable of the same endurance. another main reason was that it was the celebration of my civil license which i earned through a lengthy process at the ministry of transport and highways. they had accepted the modifications to my car and car too got registered as a invalid carriage... a process was formed and through this rally i wanted to spread the awareness and promote outdoor activities to those who remain scared and home bound due to life on wheel chair. it is time that society also takes notice of the fact that we have the physical endurance and deserve employment and not considered weak for jobs. the best part of the rally was that i was able to get enrolled as a driver..this was HISTORY IN MAKING and now on enthusiast physically challenged can feast on their spirit of adventure... walk on--- the doors are open for you.

personally for me it was definitly challenging as it invoved a long paper battle with no policies for a disabled driver to enter a rally but am happy everyone heard me.. especially automate from pune who made my hand driven car and JK TYRES for being my financial support as rally is an expensive affair Mr Raj kapoor & Mr. JD for accepting me in the rally and Anukraman for his precious tips on desert driving and navigation. long driving hours and sleep less nights, bitter cold nights and bumpy roads... everything was a bit too much but i had my mind set on the finish line.

FMSCI-

it is the federation of motorsports clubs of india- this is the principle body under which all motorsports activities are held. their certification is a must for any such event to be considered legal. every participant is supposed to get a rally license over and above their civil license. they decide wether or not you are good enough to drive in a rally. ther was a lot of decision making done in my case. but seeing my consistent hardwork and passion they considered me only for the TSD RALLIES along with a family member in the same car as a participant.TSD format is where the speed is limited. my husband accompanied me on this rally and Mr. Himanshu Chitnis CEO automate PUNE volunteered to be my navigator and co-driver.

sometimes we relegate ourselves to the regular thought process and stereotype social outlook and accept what others have thought for us wheel chair bounds. my experience says that if we think beyond and work sincerely to bring about a change.. there are a lot of people who hold your hand in support.. i was so happy when MR RAJAN SAYAL CEO of FMSCI flew down from chennai to personally handover the firs ever physically challenged rally driver license in TSD category and MR SANJAY SHARMA from JK TYRES clapped as i drove away from the flag off podium.