Chennai, Jun 12: The third edition of the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare, a motor rally through the diverse terrains of south India, is all set to begin from the shores of Bay of Bengal when the event is flagged off from here on Monday, June 13.

The five-day event will see more than 75 participants racing each other through a gruelling 2,100 km, criss-crossing a unique combination of terrain comprising the plains of Tamil Nadu, the Deccan Plateau, the Nilgiris and the Western Ghats, before concluding at Bangalore on June 17.

The first race will see participants put in a day-long shift behind the wheel to reach Kodaikanal before the event passes through Coimbatore, Ooty, Mysore, and Coorg to reach Bangalore.

Nicknamed as "The Dare" by motorsports enthusiasts, this year the third edition of the rally will see participation of over 60 cars and 15 bikes, organisers said.

Leading manufacturers, racing teams and drivers from around the country have confirmed participation, they said.

Organisers said the rally aims to connect the company with the youth and motoring enthusiasts of the southern states. The cars have started arriving in the outskirts of Chennai at Sri Perambatur and the scrutiny of the vehicles will begin today.

PTI