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Mumbai: Maruti Suzuki is all set to embark on yet another exciting journey with the 15th edition of Raid-De-Himalaya. As many as 151 teams have confirmed participation in arguably one of the toughest rallies in the world. Besides the highest ever participation, adding to the adventure and excitement will be an all new scooters category and a large female contingent.
This year’s Maruti Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya will run again in two different routes for the X-Treme and Adventure categories. Besides an amalgamation of adventure, excitement and myriad risks, this format continues to offer higher adrenaline rush.
Apart from the 8-time winner Suresh Rana, this year’s Raid-De-Himalaya will have an all women’s team from Indian Army for the first time, besides six brave motorsport enthusiasts who shall traverse through these unfriendly routes in a scooter (in Xtreme category).
CS Santosh from Bangalore will be back to defend his title in two wheeler category, despite having suffered third degree burns at abu Dhabi in April.
This year too, motoring enthusiasts from various countries are geared up to compete in this challenging competition which starts off from October 6 from Shimla, the traditional venue. The motorsports extravaganza will traverse a distance of approximately 1800 in 6 legs spread over 6 days.
After the ceremonial flag-off from Shimla on October 5, the rally traverses to Manali during the first competition leg next day. After crossing over Rohtang pass, the rally will negotiate the treacherous stretch before it enters the Spiti valley on October 7.
In Spiti valley, the rally will pass by the world famous Buddhist Monastery Necklace monasteries and some of the highest permanent settlements of Asia.
The rally will then proceed towards Keylong, cross over Baralachala to enter More plains and Pang. Braving the extreme climate and tough terrain of this part of Himalayan cold desert, and crossing overTanglang La, the second highest motorable pass in the world, the rally will enter Leh.
Yet another round of motoring thrill around Leh circuit will see rallyists negotiating hard to reach the top of Khardungla, the highest motorable road in the world.
With this leg, the rally will come to an end and winners of the 15th edition of Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya will be declared, followed by a prize distribution ceremony on October 12 at Leh.
Mr Manohar Bhat, vice-president marketing of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Since its inception in 1999, the Raid De Himalaya has grown exponentially in stature and difficulty. With over 250 participants in contention, and new categories being added, one can expect more adventure and a tougher completion. Like our other rallying events Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare, Maruti Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya draws the best motorsport talent in the country and beyond and brings out the best of man, machine and method.”
