9 Sep : The 12th Raid-de-Himalaya Rally 2010 will be organized from 10th October to 15th October this year. Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal would ceremonially flag-off the rally on 9th October from Peterhoff, Shimla. The Raid would cover a distance of about 2500 Kilometers and would culminate at Manali on 15th October, 2010. The rally would pass through Shimla, Nalagarh, Solan, Manali, Kaza, Keylong, Sarchu and back to Manali. The Raid-de-Himalaya rally is being organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports in collaboration with Federation of Motor Sports Club of India and Himalaya Motor Sports.
This was revealed in a high level meeting held here today which was presided over by Shri V.C. Pharka, Principal Secretary, Youth Services and Sports.
Shri V.C.Pharka said that foolproof arrangements would be made to make the rally a success and directed all the Departments to provide all possible assistance, especially in maintaining the free movement of the rally.
In total 175 teams would participate in the event which is a record. Teams like Thundervolt with their driver Suresh Rana, W+K Team with their driver Sunny Sidhu, champion of Moghul Rally and team of the Indian Army would also participate in the Championship.
In the X-treme Motorcycle category, Team Contiger of Austria has fielded 6 Motorcycle entrants, which also include woman biker Klaudia Honeder. Team W+K Racing’s Jonah Street, who was a Dakar 2010 top ten finisher was also participating in the event.
The rally will concentrate around Spiti for the most part using the rough roads around Kaza to provide scenic backdrops to this International Event.
Owing to the ongoing relief efforts of the Army and the Administration at Leh, which was devastated by mudslides. The rally would conclude at Manali this year. The Himalayan Motorsport Association, the organizers of this event would contribute towards flood relief in cash and kind once the event concludes.
The meeting was attended by Shri S.R.Mardi, Inspector General of Police and Other Senior officers of various Departments of the State Government.