2011 Raid de Himalaya to be a 6 day race against snow clad mountains

By: Ravinder Makhaik

Shimla: Crossing the highest motorable road on the planet, offering views of mighty snowy peaks and sharp valley, the 13th Raid de Himalaya is going to be a grueling 6 days cross country motoring event that will travel through rain devastated roads, cross the highest passes in the world and after passing through last years flood ravaged Leh will conclude at Srinagar.

Himalayan Motorsport Association, the motoring club that conducts the Raid here disclosed that the event would be flagged off from Shimla on 11th October and would end in Srinagar on 16th October.

The prize distribution would be held at Srinagar, a day later,” said Atul Handa, general secretary HMA.

More than 150 teams are expected to participate which include Team Thunderbolt, Team Eagle Motorsport, Team Army Adventure Wing, Team Air Force and Team Maruti.

Veteran 5 times winner Suresh Rana from Thunderbolt, last years winner Major Arminder Brar and well known driver Sunny Sidhu would be racing against each other yet again.

In the motorcycle category, Team Contiger Austria would be fielding 5 motorcyles and would also have Rajeev Khanna, a veteran of Himalayan Rally fame, as a participant.

The route starting out from Shimla would crossover Satluj River at Luhri, climb over Jalori Pass to enter Kullu-Manali valley.

On day two it will go over Rohtang Pass and going beyond Keylong would pass Darcha, Patseo, Sarchu, and Pang to end the day at Leh. En route the Raid would cross over some of the highest motorable roads in the world.

From Leh on day three the route does a loop through Karu, Shakti, Wari La, Khalsar, touches the highest point on the route at Khardung La and returns to Leh.

Day four heads out from Leh to Kargil and after passing Parkachik closes at Rangdum.

On the fifth day the rally does a loop from Rangdum, Penzi La, Pandum to return to Rangdum.

On the last day Raid after starting from Rangdum goes through Kargil, Dras and ends at Srinagar, where the winners’ ceremony will be held the next day.