21680
2010 Maruti-Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya is Go! Team ZigWheels participates!
Posted on 
One of the most revered rallies in the country kicks off proceedings today.rnHere's what you need to know!
It's that time of the year again when die-hard enthusiasts return to the Himalayas to take on the forces of nature and each other in what has become one of the most revered rallies in India. It's time for the 2010 Maruti-Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya! Currently in its 12th year, the Raid may not seem as exciting as it has been in previous years when you take a quick look at the route, but it will still turn out to be quite a challenge for all the participants. Political turmoil in Kashmir means that the Raid cannot head to Srinagar and the recent floods in Leh mean that the rallyists will have to stay off that section as well. But regardless, the organizers from Himalayan Motorsport have stayed strong and come up with an alternate route.
For 2010, the Raid starts off at Shimla on the 10th of October as is tradition for the past so many years, mainly because the organizers for the event, Himalayan Motorsports, is headquartered there. But as opposed to earlier years, the participants won’t be heading off to Manali on the first day itself. The first leg in fact will see the rally move from Shimla to the river beds of Nalagarh in the Shivalik range and then head back to Shimla for the night cap. Leg 2 on the 11th of October will then take the rallyists on the traditional torture route to Manali, expect a lot of drop outs in the Xtreme category on this day. Day 3 sees the participants enter the forests and head to Kaza via Komik following which the rally will go through the breathtaking Spiti valley and halt for the day back at Kaza on Day 4.
The next day will be spent travelling through Gramphoo to arrive at the army camp at Patseo, the place where the 2007 Raid-de-Himalaya had to be brought to a premature end due to heavy snowfall. Finally on Day6 the rally will traverse through Sarchu and Whisky Nala to culminate at Manali on the 15thof October.
The Maruti-Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya is run in three categories of participation, Xtreme 4 Wheelers, Xtreme 2 Wheelers and Reliability. The Xtreme category for 4 and 2 Wheelers is a race against time where the fastest time set is the king of the stage and the overall fastest time wins the rally. The Reliability category is one run on a Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format. Team ZigWheels comprising of Vikram Gour at the wheel and Muntaser Mirkar as the navigator will be part of the Reliability category this year. The team has scored a third place in the 2009 Maruti-Suzuki Desert Storm running in the NDure category. Anyone with a decent internet connection can track the progress of each of the participants live at www.raid-de-himalaya.com.
Do you like this story?
Readers' opinions ( 0 )
Post a Comment
Post a CommentRed Bull Racing Formula One car driven at Khardung-La
by Team ZigWheels
Red Bull Racing driver Neel Jani drove the Red...
Tackling different terrain in the Himalayas
by Words and Pics: Ravi Ved
A Himalayan ride is more than just riding to some...
2012 RE Himalayan Odyssey - Return to the Land of Lama
'In the land of Lama, don't be a...
Datsun to launch five models in India
Of the five models, two will be launched in 2014 with the first one codenamed K2
Toyota may launch more small cars, compact SUVs in India
Toyota is considering launching more hatchbacks apart from the Etios Liva while also entering the...
The Ferrari Way : Special Coverage
Ferrari has been voted as the most powerful brand in the world according to Brand Finance and the...
Chevrolet Enjoy : Special Coverage
Designed to take on everything from the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga to the Toyota Innova the Enjoy is...
