218-km route final for desert jeep rally       
MULTAN, Feb 29 (APP): Over 80 jeep/cars will join Cholistan desert rally on March 9 to cover a 218-kilometre loop-shaped route around historical Derawar Fort in Bahawalpur district.  Organizers of fourth desert jeep rally said here on Friday.
Twelve check posts (CPs) have been set up on the sandy route, also having sand dunes. The fuel re-filling facility will be available at seventh CP at Rasool, some 132 kilometres away from the opening point of the race.

According to the schedule of the fourth annual desert jeep rally, being organized by Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP), registration and engine inspection of vehicles will be held at circuit house Bahawalpur on March 6.

There will be a “welcome dinner” at historical Noor Mahal, palace of Nawab of Bahawalpur.

Around 60 pairs of drivers and navigators were registered for the race.

The adventure-hungry drivers will participate in the
qualifying round, a five-kilometre long race on the dry bed of river Sutlej on March 7. It will help organizers decide in what order the vehicles will move in March 9 race.

On March 8, the drivers will move into Cholistan desert to check the route, and, after a night stay, they will join the race on March 9 morning. The race will conclude the same evening with a grand prize distribution ceremony.

The vehicle covering the 218-km distance in shortest time will be declared winner in each category. Runner up and third position holders will also get prizes.

First flag off signal will be given at 8 am on March 9 to enable first jeep/car to join the race and later remaining vehicles will move after three-minute break each.

The racers will have a 30-minute stop for refreshment and fuel re-filling at Rasool check post.

First CP has been set up at Qasaiwala, some 9.7 kilometre away from the opening point near Derawar Fort. Jamoon Wala CP has been set up at 25.9 km, Nawan Kot at 50 km, Gandawala at 70 km, Bijnot at 97km, Bandhal at 124.4 km, Rasool at 132 km, Khangarh More at 144km, Khangarh Fort at 156 km, Hangola at 169.3 km, Bharoon Wala at 176km, and last CP at Sat Khoh at 199.3 km.

The qualifying round has turned once the three-day event into a four-day activity involving jeep race, cultural programmes, musical show, camel race/dance and traditional wrestling, TDCP official Sheikh Shoaib Ahmad said on Thursday.

The race will begin from a point near historical Derawar fort and will end at another point near the same monument after completing the loop.

A musical show will be organized on March 8 evening at the historical monument to be illuminated with colourful lights.

Diesel and petrol Jeep/cars of different engine power will participate in the race.
 
Source : www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php