BAHAWALPUR: A cultural show was organised on Saturday – the third day of the 14th Cholistan jeep rally.

A decent crowd of visitors in addition to the participating drivers and navigators enjoyed the festivities organised near the Derawar Fort by hosts (officials of 19 government departments). There was a spectacular display of fireworks.

Earlier in the day, sports events were held to entertain the spectators who poured in Cholistan from various parts of the country.

The drivers, their companions and other tourists had their breakfast in their tents on a chilly morning.

Saturday was reserved for the 69 stock category racers including three women who were flagged off in the morning to cover a distance of 246 kilometres.

Dawn learnt that veteran racer of Sindh Nadir Magsi in the prepaid category maintained his lead as he in the first phase covered the distance of 220km within two hours and 25 minutes and 35 seconds. Zain Mahmood, son of the owner of the host 4x4 club Mahmood Majid, remained second with just four minutes behind Mr Magsi.

Sahibzada Sultan who was expected to give a tough time to Mr Magsi secured fourth position in the first phase.

The final positions would be ascertained on Sunday when the second phase for the participants of the prepaid category would complete. Out of the 50 participants of the prepaid category on Saturday, seven were declared out of rally track even before the their mid-break of the journey to cover 220km distance.

The jeep rally would conclude on Sunday when on completion of the second phase for the participants of the prepaid category final results would be declared followed by a prize-distribution ceremony.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2019