300 motorists gear up for Raid-de-Himalaya

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 26

As many as 300 raiders are set to get an adrenaline rush on the rugged roads in the cold deserts of Lahaul-Spiti and Leh and Ladakh.

They will test their driving feats in the Raid-de-Himalaya car rally that will take off from Manali on October 6 and culminate at Leh on October 14.

The raiders of the X-treme and adventure categories will test their driving feats on 1,800 km-long rally route that will last for gruelling high mountain journey of eight days. They will negotiate the world’s five highest mountain Passes — Shingo La, Baralacha La, Taglang La, Wari La and Khardung La.

For 10th time winner Suresh Rana, it will be a test of his feats as he is pitted against his main rival Sandeep Sharma this time. The six teams of women raiders will be another attraction of the event that was kicked off in 1999. Shuchi Thakur from Himachal will be competing with Manisha and Malu, driving a Mahindra Scorpio from Mumbai to win the top spot in the adventure category.

The Army has fielded eight entries with team led by Lt Col Shakti Bajaj. If one goes by MET reports, the high highland Passes will experience freak snow that is bound to add challenge to the raiders.

Once the raiders reach Leh on day four, they will drive on the rugged road to Kargil in the Zanskar valley for another two days of competition. The Raid will conclude on its return to the Ladakh capital on October 13.

After a meeting with the officials of the Himalayan Motorsport Association, Principal Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Onkar Sharma said the logistics had been out in place to organise the 19th edition of Maruti-Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya.

Vijay Parmar, president, HMA, said, “The ceremonial flag-off ceremony will be held on October 7 at Manali and the first leg of the rally will start on October 8 after pre-event scrutiny on October 7,” he added.