Chandigarh: The country’s flagship motorsports event Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya is back in its 16th edition to enthral the motorsport enthusiasts from India and abroad. Known as one of the top ten toughest motorsport rallies of the world, the 16th Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya will be run in compliance with the International Sporting Code of the FIA, National Competition Rules (NCR) & General Prescriptions of the FMSCI.After the ceremonial flag off on the 4th from Simla, rally will cross several picturesque and challenging terrains across Himachal & J&K to finish at Manali on 11th October, 2014.
Speaking on the 16th edition of Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya, Manohar Bhat, Vice President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “For the last 16 years, Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya has been at the forefront of extreme motorsports in India. What started with just a handful of entries is now a revolution with over 150 teams.”
Bhat added, “We are overwhelmed with strengthening participation year on year. Besides, we encourage on open format where all manufacturers can participate and showcase their offerings. The best machines/ teams share the podium. Our formats are spread over 6 days, they are multi terrain, they bring out the best in vehicles and motorists. Our patrons love this format, year on year it has strengthened, so we are quite confident of our format. Overall, we have been able to create properties for every one – amateurs and professionals and they have all appreciated it.”
In the first leg (Simla to Manali) which is considered as the most treacherous and challenging, motorsports enthusiasts are expected to experience 10 % tarmac and 90 % dirt. The best team goes forward and others retire.
As the rally progresses, it gets tougher and meaner, in the second leg, rallyists would pass through Kunzum La, the fabled valley of Spiti before halting at Kaza. Two days in the rally, this is where the drivers taste the first low oxygen levels and their machines experience the long hard climbs. Smart moves and sharp maneuvers will make the difference here.
In the third leg, rallyists would move from Kaza to cover three famous monasteries Komik, Dhankar, Ki and Tabo. The ratio of tarmac to dirt switches to 60:40 here.
Leg four tests your patience as the raid croses Gramphoo, Darcha and rest at Sarchu. This leg will have the competitors acclimatized but the machines exhausted.
Leg five is where rallyists would cover Debring, Daat and halt at Sarchu. In the final leg; from Sarchu rally would move through Patseo,Keylong, Zanskar and back to Manali
As the raid unwinds the dirt to tarmac ratio puts to test the grit & nerve of man and their machines. The best team and best machines make it to the podium.