A meeting under the Chairmanship to Shri Onkar Sharma Principal Secretary (Youth Services & Sports) was held here to co-ordinate necessary arrangements with different departments for the successful organization of 19th edition of Maruti-Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya to be held from 6th to 14thOctober, 2017. A detail discussion was held on various issues particularly relating to safety measures and logistic support from the state Govt. during the event.
Shri Onkar Sharma assured the organizers that every possible logistic support would be extended to the participants to make this prestigious event a success. He said that the State Government has also given thrust on encouraging adventure tourism as there was vast potential available in this sector in the State. He expressed his happiness that Raid-De-Himalaya would be co-organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism and the Himalayan Motorsport Association, Shimla and the event has emerged as an iconic brand ambassador for tourism in the State.
Shri Vijay Parmar, President Himalayan Motorsport Association detailed about the event and requested for the logistic support regarding necessary permission required from the administration particularly stand-by facility of helicopter to deal with any eventuality. He disclosed that ceremonial flag-off ceremony would be held on 7th October, 2017 at Manali and the first leg of the Rally will start on 8th October, 2017. Pre-event scrutiny would be held on 6thOctober, 2017.
Shri Parmar told that the Himalayan Motorsport Association has created the event in 1999 and this year, about 300 enthusiastic participants would have an ambitious route spanning about 1800 Km across the exotic Spiti, Leh and Zanskar Valleys.
Both categories of Raiders, the X-treme and the Adventure will be severely tested by high altitude, forbidding terrain, sub-zero temperatures, as well as mental fatigue as they cross over from Himachal into Ladakh, negotiating the world’s highest mountain passes-ShingoLa, BaralachLa, TaglangLa, WariLa and KhardungLa, to name the most prominent ones. Once the Raid reaches Leh on Day four, it branches off to Kargil and the rugged Zanskar Valley for another two grueling days of competition. The Raid concludes upon its return to the Ladakh capital on 13 October, 2017, he added.
Shri Manjeev Bhalla highlighting the attraction of the event said that Shri Suresh Rana, the Himachal Rally star will attempt his 11th win this year. Not willing to allow this to happen will be rivals Shri Sandeep Sharma and
Shri Samrat Yadav. The Indian Army is back in force, fielding as many as 8 entries in their team. Lt. Col. Shakti Bajaj will lead the charge for his team. Reports of early snow on the passes is adding to the excitement over this years adventure. Six women teams would be taking part with Shuchi Thakur of Himachal slated to take the win in this category. Manisha and Malu, driving a Mahindra Scorpio are coming up all the way from Mumbai to fight for top spot in the Adventure category since Maruti is no longer supporting a team.
Shri Amarjeet Singh, Director Youth Services & Sports and the representatives of various departments particularly, Health, Home, GAD and District Administration participated in this meeting.
