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New Delhi, 30th March 2018: Defying myths of age, height, and demeanor; India’s pioneer in women’s Motorsport, Sarah Kashyap claimed 8th position overall in the recently concluded Desert Storm Rally. Battling extreme challenges in the desert and the tough terrains, the rally which started with 40 bikers and over 200 other vehicles including cars, quads, 4x4s in Thar Desert- Rajasthan, witnessed Sarah making it in the top 10 this year. Sarah was competing against the likes of CS Santosh, Aaron Mare, Santolino Lorenzo among others.
Riding an imported KTM EXC 250 Sarah, who is one of the most prominent woman in Indian Motorsport also claimed 2nd position in her Group-A category of foreign bikes up-to 250cc. The 32 year old biker was honored with Coup-De-Dames trophy for being the only woman finisher in the grueling rally. With this win Sarah has also become the only woman biker ever to be on a podium in a cross country rally.
Leg 3 of the rally which was the longest stage of 200 Kms in sand, stretched over the treacherous sand dunes and overpowering heat of Rajasthan. Sarah suffered a major setback as her bike crashed 100 kms into the stage. Before she could lift her bike back up, the car coming from behind went over the front wheel of Sarah’s bike resulting in a bent rim and a bent handle bar of her bike. However, proving her mettle to the best Sarah completed another 100 kms of the race to eventually claim her invincible victory.
Acknowledging Sarah’s achievements, she might be considered for the outstanding women in Motorsport award by FMSCI next year.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarah Kashyap, said, “I am thrilled to finish the race with such results. I had aimed to finish the podium in Top 10 this year and I achieved it. I would like to thank my mentor, coach and my family members for being supportive and helping me reach my goal. My ultimate target is Dakar Rally which is the toughest Motorsports rally in the world. I have already started my preparations and want to represent my nation there.”
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 and now in 2018 as well.
