For the fifth time, Indian Army's 'Dare Devil' motorcycle display team has found a place in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records.
Known for its stunning feats, the team from the Army's Signal Corps made it to the record book on June 11 this year when it successfully displayed its skill to carry 251 men on 11 motorcycles for a record-breaking distance of 240 metres.
Army chief General Deepak Kapoor felicitated the achievers at a function in South Block in New Delhi on Wednesday.
'Dare Devil' captain assured Gen Kapoor that the team would soon be attempting an improvement on its own world record.
The 'Dare Devils' already have four world records to their credit since 1991 and all have been endorsed by the Guinness Book of World Records authorities.
The first World Record was made at Gwalior in 1991 when 40 team members rode seven motorcycles to cover a distance of 400 metres.
Next came its world record in Pune in 1993, when the 81 team members on nine motorcycles rode for 200 metres. On the third occasion, again at Pune in 1996, the team's 140 men were on 11 motorcycles and they covered 100 metres.
Their fourth world record was made at Jabalpur in 2001 with 201 men on 10 motorcycles covering a distance of 100 metres.
The first 'Dare Devils' display was organized in Shimla on March 10, 1935, during the Silver Jubilee celebrations of King George V and Queen Mary's accession to the British throne.
From 1935 to 1950, most of the major Army Signal units had small display teams of about 10 members. These teams performed during various functions of their units and also during military exhibitions.
The organization and training of these teams, distributed in penny packets, always posed a problem. Hence, during the third Corps of Signals Committee meeting held in March 1935, it was decided to combine all the small teams into a single major team.
Since 1950, the 'Dare Devils' have performed over 800 displays all over the country in units and establishments of the Armed Forces, as well as in civil functions such as Republic Day Parades, Asian Games in 1982, SAF Games in 1987, Third National Games in 1994 and Fourth Military World Games last year.
