Chandigarh’s Sanam sets new Guinness world record in high-altitude drift

Chandigarh’s Sanam Sekhon has set a new Guinness World Record for the Highest Altitude Drift by a Car at 5,798 metre (19,023 ft) at the Umling pass in Ladakh. Sekhon executed the record-breaking drift amid low oxygen levels, sub-zero temperatures and unpredictable road surfaces.

Sekhon has steadily risen through the ranks of Indian motorsport, earning a reputation for unrelenting desire to push the limits. The winner of the inaugural JK Tyre Drift Challenge in 2023, he said: “I’m thrilled to hold this record, but honestly, I couldn’t have done it without my fantastic team. We knew what we were getting into and were both mentally and physically prepared, but the oxygen levels and altitude really tested us. Just running around and managing things up there was tough and we even had ambulances on standby.

“Getting everything in place — our tuner flying in from Thailand and ensuring a steady fuel supply — was a challenge in itself. The tyres played a huge role too. The tyres gripped really well on that rough surface, which made all the difference.”