India’s pioneer in women’s motorsport, Sarah Kashyap is all set to fuel the adrenaline rush in the much awaited Desert Storm rally. She will be the only female rider in foreign bikes’ category and will be competing against the likes of CS Santosh, R Nataraj, Joan Pedrero Garcia amongst others. Reviving the energy, excitement, and fun in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, 31-year-old Sarah will be riding an imported KTM EXC 250. Desert Storm rally will be held from 17th March to 25th March in Rajasthan.
One of the most prominent women in Indian motorsports - Sarah Kashyap is the only woman biker to have finished all major cross-country rallies in India and was the first to finish Raid-de-Himalaya in 2015 and also became the first ever to finish Desert Storm in 2017.
Bringing over 200 participants together, the 6-day long rally will cover a distance of over 2000 km starting from NCR and crossing cities like Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. The rally will witness extreme challenges in the desert as competitors will not only have to battle the weather conditions, but also the tough terrains.
Desert Storm 2018 is going to be a game-changer for Sarah as she aims to finish in Top 10. Her motorsport journey has seen her riding unusual bikes in cross-country rallies. From a modified Royal Enfield Thunderbird to a Himalayan to a Hero Impulse, she has tried her hands at quite a few different machines.
Speaking on her preparedness for the rally, Sarah Kashyap, said, “I am excited to be competing against the big boys of motorsports. It has been a tough journey as an individual to reach this level. However, with the support of my family and mentors, I have been able to make it big in the male-dominated sport. My ultimate aim is to participate in Dakar Rally which is regarded as the toughest motorsport event in the world and is most watched world over after Formula1. I would urge corporates to come forward and support individuals and the sport so that more talent can be nurtured in the country.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Amit Saini, Founder, Lets Ryde Super motorcycle Co, the sponsor for Sarah’s Desert Storm Rally said, “We have known Sarah since she was a motorcycle traveler. We believe in her abilities and want to support her journey in the sport. We are equally excited to associate with her and hopeful that she will make it to the Dakar rally for sure and make our country proud.”