Desert Storm Rally: Mishra on top, favourite Rana close second

BIKANER: Abhisek Mishra led in the extreme category at the end of Leg 1 of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm car rally on Wednesday . The talented Mishra finished on top with a timing of five hours 30 minutes and 45 seconds.
Three-time champion and favourite Suresh Rana was placed second with just under four minutes behind Mishra. Both the drivers are in Grand Vitara.The leg had a night stage at Sardarshahar and an afternoon one off Bikaner.
The gruelling off-road stages on Rajastan's desert had its toll as a number of participants who gave up midway. Jaipur's Raj Singh Rathore on his Polaris could not complete the race. In fact, all the Polaris drivers are out of the competition.
In the bike category, CS Santosh was a revelation, conquering the obstacles and the challenges with remarkable ease. Most of the riders struggled while going uphill on a fixed dune, but Santosh made it look simple.
The rider did topple once, on his way down, but that was taken in his stride. The rally will now move to Jaisalmer on Thursday, after a stage in Bikaner.
Extreme result at the end of leg 1:
1. Abhishek Mishra (5:30:45), 2. Suresh Rana (5:34:33), 3. Harpreer Bawa (5:48:52).