DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The three-day Derajat off-road jeep rally kicked off here on Friday.

Sahibzada Sultan won the first round in the 120 kilometres category-A of the prepared class on the opening day in Yarik area, about 30 kilometres off Dera city.

Commissioner Dera Yahya Akhunzada inaugurated the event organised by the Tourism and Culture Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The preliminary report of the rally revealed that the two-kilometre desert track with two sharp turns was covered by the 4x4 jeep drivers successfully.

According to results of the first qualifying round of the first day event, Sahibzada Sultan covered the specified distance in one minute and 53 seconds and clinched first position, Zain Mehmood in one minute and 54 seconds for the second spot, Asif Fazal Chaudhry third with one minute and 55 seconds, Jaafar Magsi one minute and 56 seconds for 4th place and Nadar Magsi secured 5th spot covering the distance in one minute and 57 seconds.

In the stock rankings, Sahibzada

Fakhr secured first spot by covering the distance in one minute and 55 seconds, Taimur Khawaja second with the timing of one minute and 56 seconds and Rashid Goraya third with one minute and 58 seconds.

Over 65 top Pakistani drivers with 4x4 vehicles are taking part in the rally. For the second day of the event 120km track has been prepared from Paniala via Giloti and Rehmanikhel.

Nadir Magsi, Sahibzada Sultan, Babar Khan, Maham Shiraz, Salma Khan, Zain Mahmood, Irshad Kakakhel and other famous 4x4 jeep drivers from various parts of the country are participating in this race. Elaborate security arrangements are in place along the route.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2021