Gwadar off-road rally to resume in March

KARACHI: The Gwadar off-road rally is going to be resumed after a gap of seven years as it is scheduled in March on a track of 150 kilometers.

“The rally was discontinued in 2008 due to security issues. Now, we are resuming it,” said Faisal, the organiser, while talking to ‘The News’.

He said the rally was held annually from 2005 to 2008 but then the security situation deteriorated to such an extent that they had to discontinue it. “This time around 25,000 people are expected to witness this rally,” said Faisal.

He added that there would be two stock categories, four prepared, and one for ladies in which more than 100 racers from around the country would take part. “I have been organising rallies for last 11 years, including the Hub Rally,” said Faisal.

But a racer from Punjab said there would not be more than 40 participants in this rally because it was very far for those living in Punjab. “It is 2000 kilometers travel for a driver from Multan, so it is not very appealing to take part in it,” said the driver.

He added that most of the racers would be from Sindh due to shorter distance. “The top racers of the country, including Nadir Magsi and Ronnie Patel, will surely take part in this rally,” said the driver.

The salient features of the rally are qualifying round, tent village, camel formation show, and jeep rally.

The distance of 150 km makes this the third biggest rally of the country after Cholistan Rally and Jhal Magsi Rally.