Headlight failure forces Aishwarya to retire from Desert Storm

Bikaner March 20 (IANS) A malfunctioning headlight ended national womens racing and rally champion Aishwarya Pissays campaign in Desert Storm 2018 here as she was docked a penalty of 100 hours forcing her to retire from the week-long cross-country rally.

The 22-year-old Aishwarya representing TVS Racing team was among 11 bikers who retired in Monday s Leg-1 which comprised two special stages totaling about 80 Kms.

"I was running well in the day s first stage and was in good rhythm. I even overtook several bikes and was feeling very confident until the problem with the headlight cropped up in the next Stage " Aishwarya said.

"I was doing a night stage for the first time ever and it was a whole new experience for me. The headlight proved to be an issue and suddenly it stopped working. I was caught in pitch darkness but I followed the tail-lights of other bikes for a while. I then got stuck going up a sand dune and was left all alone.

"I managed to contact the officials who arrived after about an hour picked me up and I got back to Bikaner safely. In view of the stoppage I was handed a penalty of 100 hours and we decided against taking a re-start " she added.

--IANS
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