Car India participated in ‘The President’s Great Escape’, organised by Mahindra & Mahindra in Rajasthan recently
Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra and Mahindra, was visibly upbeat as he addressed the equally excited gathering at hotel Surya Garh in Jaisalmer.
This was the briefing before the flag-off of ‘The President’s Great Escape’. This was a special edition of The Great Escape adventure series, for which the company president, Dr Goenka, had personally invited participants from a long list of dealers, component suppliers and automotive journalists. The event, organised by the Mahindra adventure team and headed by former journalist, Bijoy Kumar, lets participants get a first-hand experience of driving on breathtaking trails and also gives a chance to explore M&M vehicles’ off-roading capabilities and ruggedness.
Former Rally Champion, Hari Singh, who was leading the evacuation team, gave a few important last-minute safety and driving tips before the 40 odd SUVs were flagged off for this day-long event. After a drive of about 25 kilometres from Surya Garh, the convoy of SUVs reached Sam desert, where they got a chance to drive some of Mahindra’s best 4×4 vehicles, including the Thar, Bolero and Scorpio, on the tricky sand dunes. Those who couldn’t adapt to driving on the loose sand fast enough had to be winched out by Hari Singh and his team, so that the participants could get another go at driving over the sand dunes.
The Mahindra Great Escape is one of the largest non-competitive off-road rallies in India. It began in 1996 when a small group of Mahindra SUV owners got together for a day of off-roading adventure. Since then, it’s become an integral part of the Mahindra culture.
After a long, tiring and adventurous day, the guests converged in the evening on the Surya Garh lawns to share their experience and drinks with newly made friends, while musician Leslie Lewis and his band gave an electrifying performance and kept the party going until the wee hours.
Report: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: M&M and Sarmad Kadiri
