Shimla, Sept 11: Introducing a blend of "Run and Adventure", the fifth Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya Motor Rally would be run on two independent race formats -- 'x-treme' and reliability trial -- from this year.
The four-day rally, organised jointly by Himachal Motor Sports Association and State Youth Services and Sports Department, would cover a distance of 1300 km through rugged and high mountain passes at an altitude of over 15,500 ft, president of the association Vijay Parmar told mediapersons here yesterday.
The rally, which would start from here on October 7, would conclude in Manali instead of Srinagar, he said, adding the route was changed considering the increased terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir. But the Ladhak area of the state had been included in the route, which covers tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti.

Twenty-five entries have been confirmed in the motorcycle rally which include Rodolphde D Rouille (Yamaha) from France, Mmatt P Berett (Enfield) from England, Marcus Gugar (Pulsar) from Germany, Club Malaysia (Kawasaki) from Malaysia (two entries) and Indeep Singh (Suzuki) from England.



Eighteen entries have been received for 'x-treme' version while twelve participants have opted for reliability trial.



Parmar said the route would be the same for both the version but the reliability trial vehicles would be required to maintain an average speed below 40-km and would earn two penalty points for early arrival per minute.


Bureau Report