One of the longest and demanding motor-sport rallies in India, Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya is open to everyone. Whether you are professional or an amateur motor sport lover, you can join the entourage to drive through the splendid Himalayan Mountains. There are doctors, housewives, teachers, real estate businessmen and even folks from non-profit organizations gathering once in a year to savor the splendid Himalayas.
Idea is to enjoy the real beauty of exotic and awe inspiring Himalayan ranges. Necessary elements of competitiveness have been added to Raid-de-Himalaya to make it more than just a tour. Now the rally has evolved into a unique Himalayan event that takes competition to a new level! First timers may begin with ‘Adventure-Trial’ in the first year and switch on to X-Treme levels of rally later on. ‘Participation Committee’ of Himalayan Motorsport can also allow the first times for X-Treme levels after an assessment.
Participants of Raid-de-Himalaya drive through some of the highest motor-able roads & passes in Himalayan ranges in North India. These roads and passes include Rohtang Pass, Jalori Pass, Barachala Pass, Kunzum La, Tanglang La etc. Drivers have to move through usually inhospitable and highly unpredictable terrains in areas of Lahaul & Spiti in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh region in Jammu & Kashmir. Most of the drive in Raid-de-Himalaya is through rocks and boulders. Drivers move through snow capped peaks and gushing water streams all the way from source to destination.
The motoring event continues for about a week and participants cover around 300km in one day on an average. Approximate length of the journey is around 2000km. Raid-de-Himalaya is fast becoming popular among a number of domestic and foreign motorists looking for adventure, serenity and stillness! Himalayan Motorsport aims to let this event allow adventurous motorists to enjoy actual Himalayas in a stock car; devoid of any expensive modification as seen in demanded by rally cars.
Raid-de-Himalayas is one among a dozen motoring events listed on the off-road rallies calendar of Federation Internationale Motorcyclisme (FIM) Geneva, Switzerland. Hundreds of teams are now participating in this popular motoring event in Land of Gods – Himachal Pradesh.
Some quick facts on Raid-de-Himalaya
1. Raid-de-Himalaya motorsport even was started in the year 1999.
2. It is recognized as world’s highest Rally Raid.
3. Most recent event (2009) was from Shimla, capital of Himachal Pradesh to Srinagar, winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Raid-de-Himalayas 2009 was divided in 6 legs. Commenced on Oct. 5 and finished on Oct 13.
5. Rally passes through 11 world’s highest passes.
12th Raid-de-Himalaya will be held from 10th Oct onwards till 15th when it comes to finish line in Manali. A 6 leg event, 12th Raid will cover a total of around 2000km of which competitive section will be around 800km. Significant changes have been made in the route this time as situations in Leh were a little messed up. Roads are being used to carry out the relief work and that is the reason why management has made some changes in the rally route this time.
Photographs were contributed by Raju Verma who has taken part in Raid-de-Himalayas in past. We wish him and luck and success in all such endeavors. Kudos to volunteers and office bearers of the HMA who make it happen. You can check out the official website of Raid-de-Himalayas or reach their Raid’s facebook fan page to get information.
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