HimVani, Shimla
The 13th Raid-de-Himalaya rally is to be flagged off on October 11, 2011 by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. This information was disclosing by Himachal Secretary Sports V.C Pharka and President Himalayan Motor Sports Association Vijay Parmar at a meeting held on 17 September to discuss the coordination activities between various departments for the proposed event.
Photo courtesy: Raid-de-Himalaya website
Like last year, this event is being supported by State Department of Youth Services and Sports, Himachal Pradesh, Federation of Motor Sports Club of India and Himalayan Motor Sports Association.
This year, The Raid, would be covering approximately 2500 kms through the most rugged terrain of Himalayas and would have both X-treme and Adventure categories competition. The teams from Tata motors, Mahindra and Maruti are all set to battle out the most predominant adventure class. In the X-treme class Team Army, Team Thunderbolt and Team Eagle Motorsport and Team Air Force would be participating.
This will be for the first time that a paraplegic competitor, Anurag Bareja from Gurgaon who is without legs, will be participating on par with other competitors in a modified hand control car.
Keeping in view of the mandatory ecological parameters, Raid-De-Himalaya has introduced necessary sound regulations similar to the European norms on sound emissions as applicable to rally cars and would be strictly enforced using sophisticated sound monitoring equipments.
Apart from this, the Health Department will extend emergency services through its 108 Ambulance Services to deal with any mishap.
In X-Treme category, the pre-event scrutiny would be on done 9th and 10th October,2011 at Shimla. In the first leg the rally will traverse through districts of Shimla, Mandi and Kullu and will halt at Manali. The second leg would pass through the mighty Rohtang to halt at Leh on 12th October. On 13th it will cover several routes in Leh including the 18,300 feet, Khardung-La, the highest Motorable road of the world and would cover Kargil, Rangdum, Penzi-La to finally conclude at Srinagar on 16th October.
In Adventure Trial category the pre-event scrutiny would also be held on 9th and 10th October, 2011 and will pass through the districts of Shimla, Mandi,Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, and would enter Jammu and Kashmir, through Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Kokernag, Ananatnag. From here it would go to Kargil, Rangdum, Dras, Kargil, Zozi-La and culminate at Srinagar on 16th October.
