KARACHI: In the absence of Nadir Magsi, Zafar Magsi produced a rip-roaring drive to end the defending champion’s eight-year stranglehold on the Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge title in Balochistan by winning its 10th edition on Sunday.

Nadir had opted out of this year’s rally due to personal reasons but Zafar smashed the speed trap, introduced for this year’s race, clocking the fastest speed of 67mph en route to claiming the Category ‘A’ crown.

Accodring to the information made available here on Monday, Zafar finished in a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes and 36 seconds to edge second-placed Asad Khuhro by seven seconds while Sarfraz Dhanji was third in 1:23:59.

The Category ‘A’ stock title was won by Tariq Hussain Magsi.

Noman Saranjam took the Category ‘B’ title and like Zafar, recorded the top speed of 66mph in the event. Mansoor Haleem won the stock title in that category.

Mukesh Chawla was the fastest driver in Category ‘C’, posting 63mph on the speed trap, on his way to winning the title. Abdul Rehman Joya was the winner in the stock category.

Animullah Shadikhel, with 61mph, was the fastest in Category ‘D’ but despite that was edged to the title by Mian Rafiq Ahmed.

The Ladies title, meanwhile, was won by Tushna Patel.

Published in Dawn December 23th , 2014