As many as 100 top rallyists from across the country will throng Himachal to participate in the first-ever “Rally of Himalayas”, one of the most challenging motorsports events of the world in dangerous terrains of the state from October 7 to 10.
Being organised by Himalayan X-Treme Motorsports club, the rally will be flagged off by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur from Kullu on October 7 and the prize distribution ceremony will be held at Solang in presence of union minister of youth affairs and sports Anurag Singh Thakur on October 10. The thrilling motorsport event will cover the challenging terrains of Hamta and Spiti which will test the stamina and skills of the rallyists.
Ten-time Raid de Himalaya rally and many other extreme rally winner Suresh Rana, who is president of the Himalayan X-Treme Motorsports club, said, “Record 70 bikers are participating in this rally. This is the record as such a high number of participants has never been recorded before. Besides this, 30 cars including 4X4 vehicles will be vying for the title. We are putting our everything to make this rally successful and popular worldwide.”
A group of rallyists and motorsports enthusiasts are the members of the organising club backed by the government. As the rally will cover major portions of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, the administration from both the districts is also helping in successful conduct of the rally. The general traffic movement will be stopped at many stretches to ensure public safety. The health department will station ambulances at regular stretches.
Air Himalayas, Himachal based helicopter service, is also partnering with the rally and will station its helicopter to help air evacuation in case of a medical emergency.
“The extreme motorsports lovers were disappointed as no rally event was being organised for a long time. Finally, after working for months on this and talking to the top rally teams of the country along with seeking support from the government, finally we are ready to tread the Himalayan terrains,” Rana added.
The first and special state of the rally will go to Hamta after the flag-off ceremony by the CM. Then the rally will move to Kaza in Spiti via Atal tunnel, Gramphu and Kunzum pass. The final leg of the rally will end at Solang where prizes will be distributed among the winners by Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Many foreigner participants were also expected to take part in the rally but international travel restrictions and Covid scare are the main hurdles. The organisers of Rally of Himalayas believe that this rally will emerge as the most thrilling and adventurous rally in the world which will attract international rallyists from next year onwards. Ace rallyist Suresh Rana being the organiser will not be participating in the event.
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