Drivers to be heavily tested in Jhal Magsi
Desert Challenge 2011 takes place today in Balochistan village.
JHAL:
Fifty-one drivers will be seen in action at the seventh edition of the Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge 2011 that takes place in the Balochistan village of Jhal today
The Rs2-million event will see drivers from all over the country as well as the Turkish duo of Burcu Cetinkaya and navigator Cicek Guney, the only foreign team at the event. Vehicles will be divided into four categories and will compete on the 194-kilometre track – that comprises rivers and mountains – with the top three in each taking home the prize money.
‘Difficult terrain’
Nadir Magsi, the favourite to win his ‘A’ category, advised drivers to keep it simple.
“There’s a lot of variation on the track,” Magsi told The Express Tribune. “It includes mud, rivers, mountains and it’s a curvy track. It’s not going to be easy and drivers need to treat this as a race.”
Magsi, one of the pioneers of motorsports in Pakistan who have kept the sport alive in the country, also highlighted the increased participation at the event.
“The numbers have increased this time and that’s a positive sign for us. This is what we wanted and with a bit of support, Pakistan can be put on the motorsports world map.”
Magsi fastest in qualifying
Meanwhile, the veteran was also the quickest in the qualifying that took place yesterday and will lead the pack in the rally today.
Magsi, in his 4.5-litre Land Cruiser, posted a time of one minute and 17.33 seconds followed by Ronnie Patel, a staggering seven seconds behind in his Mitsubishi Evo.
Meanwhile, Qasim Saidhi was third quickest and posted one minute and 27.06 seconds. Cetinkaya, who timed one minute and 37.16 seconds, will be 16th in the firing order.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2011.
Fifty-one drivers will be seen in action at the seventh edition of the Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge 2011 that takes place in the Balochistan village of Jhal today
The Rs2-million event will see drivers from all over the country as well as the Turkish duo of Burcu Cetinkaya and navigator Cicek Guney, the only foreign team at the event. Vehicles will be divided into four categories and will compete on the 194-kilometre track – that comprises rivers and mountains – with the top three in each taking home the prize money.
‘Difficult terrain’
Nadir Magsi, the favourite to win his ‘A’ category, advised drivers to keep it simple.
“There’s a lot of variation on the track,” Magsi told The Express Tribune. “It includes mud, rivers, mountains and it’s a curvy track. It’s not going to be easy and drivers need to treat this as a race.”
Magsi, one of the pioneers of motorsports in Pakistan who have kept the sport alive in the country, also highlighted the increased participation at the event.
“The numbers have increased this time and that’s a positive sign for us. This is what we wanted and with a bit of support, Pakistan can be put on the motorsports world map.”
Magsi fastest in qualifying
Meanwhile, the veteran was also the quickest in the qualifying that took place yesterday and will lead the pack in the rally today.
Magsi, in his 4.5-litre Land Cruiser, posted a time of one minute and 17.33 seconds followed by Ronnie Patel, a staggering seven seconds behind in his Mitsubishi Evo.
Meanwhile, Qasim Saidhi was third quickest and posted one minute and 27.06 seconds. Cetinkaya, who timed one minute and 37.16 seconds, will be 16th in the firing order.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2011.