Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge 2013 - News and Updates Thread!

[SuhaibKiani]

Since its awfully quiet on the thread and since I am playing with keys while the shahsawars are playing with steering wheels, I just thought I would do something useful today and start a thread for race updates and news while we wait for participants to get back. Here are the PakWheelers I know attending the rally:

Doc Nadeem Naeem - Vehicle : Nissan Patrol Pickup - Navigator : Zohaib Jadoon
Asad Marwat - Vehicle : Mitsubishi Pajero - Navigator : Shahzad aka Pinks
Qasim Saidhi - Vehicle : Mitsubishi Evolution - Navigator : Rizwan Buttar

Will try and get some info on whats going on and request anyone else in the know of things to share photos, videos, news, updates, experiences, ramblings etc or anything that you may feel is relevant! Even if it isn't, lets make sure we keep this going as, make no mistake about it: Jhal Magsi is perhaps in many ways the only motorsport event of its kind in the world!

Race Schedule:
January 11, 2013 : Recce and Scruteneering
January 12, 2013 : Qualification
January 13, 2013 : Race and Prize Ceremony

Best of Luck and a Safe Driving to all particpants! SK
PS: Some Pics and Full Results Below. Thanks to all photograhpers and posters!

[SuhaibKiani]

The phenomenon of the Jhal Magsi washboards/lakebeds/straights or "patt" as its locally called is particularly unique due to its high speed drift and unpredictability. Here is a video of Doc NN and Asad Marwat from last year in the patt area. Note that the car is going sideways even though the track appears to be straight....

[video=vimeo;53108379]http://vimeo.com/53108379[/video]

Needless to say its quite a dangerous stretch of track! Once again safe driving to everyone!

[spiderman]

Best of luck to the participants.

[SuhaibKiani]

Qasim Saidhi's interview from the Jhal 2011 startline is worth a listen. A lot is to be said on what happened afterwards during the race, but its amazing how composed both him and Rizwan sound at the start. Qasim finished third last year and wish him safe driving and all the best for this year!!

[video=vimeo;51897715]http://vimeo.com/51897715[/video]

[aamir567]

Best of luck to all the participants

[SuhaibKiani]

Spoke to NN, Asad and Rizwan. Everybody is in good spirits and looking forward to driver's meeting which will start shortly. Everyone seems laced with gopros and DSLRs so expect good coverage this time around

[qwertypoiu]

[Ravager]

1300 cc wale ghareeb kidhar pohnche huay hain
just kidding.. shok ka koi mol nai

[ajab9007]

Subscribed!!
Best of Luck DD,NN,QS!

[SuhaibKiani]

All our friends will be starting at the later end of the day and the Jhal Magsi qualification track becomes progressively difficult with ruts developing with each car. Category B looks very competitive with a full line-up including Asad Khohro who is back after a long time and Ronnie Patel who is driving a Vigo! Interesting that Nadir Magsi is racing the TLC in Jhal and not his Tacoma!! Not as many cars as last year and traditionally with around 50% attrition rate, there could be a few surprises. Hoping that everyone remains safe and finishes
Best of luck to NN, Asad, Qasim and teams for the qualifyng!

[SuhaibKiani]

BTW the qualification is delayed as track as being prepared. Perhaps, not good news for IJC team as they got there yesterday and were planning to do a recce after qualification! But you never know, both NN and Asad know track well by now and it may be a good thing in the end!

[qwertypoiu]

[SuhaibKiani]

Spoke to Asad Marwat. On his fitrst recce run one of the tires came off its bead and apparently his Pajero was on two wheels. Asad uncharacteristically refused to do the second run, but was encouraged by Rehan (organiser) to continue after the tire was replaced. Nevertheless, excellent results and good to know that everyone is safe. Looking forward to tomorrow. Love the fact that the results are so quickly available! Thanks for posting @qwertypoiu

[qwertypoiu]

Credit goes to rasepk team.

[SuhaibKiani]

BTW the Sardar Channa Vigo runs a 1JZ-GTE and the Sarfraz Dhanji Nissan a 2JZ GTE!
Interesting to see the Mian Rafiq Jimny D at #12!!

[SuhaibKiani]

Spoke to NN finally after trying to get through after trying all day. He said that the track this year is much worse than last year in terms of roughness, dirt and drift! They managed to complete a recce of the first stage of the track today between the qualifying. The qualifying track this year was marked by flags on the inside with much sharper turns and NN said that it was very easy to spin all four wheels of even his NPP! The conditions at Mulla River were such that a few vehicles had to be pulled out including a Vigo! NN said that it will be a game of survival tomorrow. The line got disconnected thereafter, but once again wish all the participants the best of luck and a safe rally tomorrow!

[Issac]

Just a quick question, which channels will be doing live coverage? What time it is going to start?

[qwertypoiu]

^^ it ended when you asked

[SuhaibKiani]

Alright, I have the following updates based on brief conversations with various friends:

• Nadir Magsi tood first in category A, with Qasim Saidhi second and Rana Sumair third.
• B category was a close call between Ronnie Patel and Asad Khoro. To be confirmed when official results are announced.
• Doc NN was 4th behind Rana Sumair by about three minutes.
• Asad Marwat's Pajero ended up with a DNF. Both Asad and Shahzad are safe and well.

Looking forward to more stories, updates and media. Its quite a tragedy that while the Jhal rally got so much coverage last year, this year though the media focus is on completely on another rally of a different sort! Nevertheless, congrats to organizers and participants on another successful event and thanks to the Almighty for ensuring safety of all teams!

[yaserag]

whats the story on asads pajero?