Monday, April 7, 2014

Darren Skilton And His Jeep Cherokee Win The 2014 Desert Storm Rally


Darren Skilton (he of Dakar, Jeepspeed and Baja fame) took on the 2014 Desert Storm Rally in his Dakar spec Jeep Grand Cherokee.  He had also won the much longer NORRA Mexican 1000 in this vehicle in 2013 so it was more than well sorted out for this sort of event.


The Super Production class Cherokee took the win on the day by over a minute from Adam Short and his Open class WRX while it was 4th place finisher John Trucks and his WRX STi that presented the biggest challenge to Skilton until a blown strut and unhinged hood literally smashed his chances at a win.


Its good to see Skilton out there though I wish it was at an event that had a greater number of competitors to show him that there is life left in the American rally scene yet.  Between the weak showing at this event and the forced cancellation of his Rally Diabolico earlier this year, I worry as to the sport's North American perception given Skilton is the US representative with the ASO for Dakar purposes.
Desert Storm 2014 Results

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