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In India, motoring has been synonymous with Maruti Suzuki but the fact is, the brand has been a pioneer in Indian motorsport as well. Over the years, machinery from Maruti Suzuki’s stable – everything from the little 800 to the iconic Gypsy, the versatile Esteem, the powerful Baleno sedan and the tough Grand Vitara have helped the motorsport enthusiast experience the thrill of motorsport across various disciplines. Not just that, India’s largest car manufacturer has not rested on its laurels and continued to actively promote the sport from grassroot to the top echelons.
Rally Raids
Sitting right at the top of the pile are the blue riband events – the Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya, the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare. Covering starkly different landscapes from the snow abode where temperatures can drop to 10 degrees below 0 to the treacherous Thar Desert where 50 degree ambient temperatures aren’t unheard of. Down south, the challenges are similar, narrow and high-speed tracks with rapidly changing topography challenge the participants.
Of the three, the Raid de Himalaya has, of course, been the longest running event, with 17 editions completed so far. The Desert Storm has been challenging the runners and riders for 14 years while the comparatively new Dakshin Dare has been running successfully since 2009.
National Superleague Rally Championship
Given the tough and demanding nature of rally raids, it might be unthinkable to wake up one day and decide to tackle Mother Nature’s most diversely challenging terrain – the Himalayas, the Thar or the hills of the South. Understanding that more drivers and enthusiasts would want to gain more experience in a competitive environment before transitioning into the top realm, Maruti Suzuki has introduced the National Superleague Rally Championship this year.
With the calendar made up of six events across the country, enthusiasts from all walks of life can come and put their driving skills to test in a competitive environment. With events covering some of the most picturesque locales, competitors need to participate
in all six events to qualify for the championship.
Autocross
A well-known Maruti Suzuki initiative – Maruti Suzuki Autocross – is where it all starts. Road cars driven by everyday people from all walks of life. This is where interest can convert to enthusiasm – thanks to the rush of attacking a tight, challenging course in a car that you’d commute to office in. A combination of dirt and tarmac layouts can enable you learn a lot about your car and its limits – which ultimately leads to a safer drive amidst the organised chaos that is Indian traffic.
With rounds in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, a huge throng of novice and experienced competitors attack the track, learning to push their cars to the limits. Getting your first taste of competitive motorsport in an accessible, economical and convenient environment doesn’t get any better.
