The competitive leg of the 15th edition of Maruti Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya comprising three super stages began from Shimla today with 153 cars and bikes commencing their tryst with the mighty Himalayas for the coveted motorsports trophy.
Challenging the eight time winner, Manali's Suresh Rana (Navigator Ashwin Naik), is Delhi's Amanpreet Ahluwalia (Navigator Venuramesh) who won the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare in August this year.
Suresh and Ashwin have come together after their win in 2011 and are driving a Grand Vitara, while challenger Amanpreet and Venuramesh are competing in their Gypsy.
In the Raid X-Treme Bikes and Moto Quad category, CS Santosh, the defending champion, has a tough fight from Austrian Helmut Frauwallner, the winner two years ago and German Stephan Rausch, both breathing down his neck today.
Meanwhile, Raj Singh Rathore of Jaipur driving the only moto quad crashed out during the first leg itself after fuel problems with his vehicle.
Earlier in the wee hours, the X-treme cars and bikes started off from Shimla to head towards Manali, Luhri, Behna, Chimni, Khanag.
Three competitive super stages were planned between Dalog and Chamola (33.41 kms), Luhri and Behna (21.32 kms), Chimni and Khanag (19.57 kms) totaling an overall 312 kms including transport stages.
The motorsport enthusiasts traversed the most beautiful and varying countryside, complete with Chir and Deonar trees sliced by streams and rivulets flowing through the rally tracks to join Sutlej and Beas rivers.
The terrain was largely dirt with some parts suddenly turning rocky while the rally went through drops and rises from lowland scrub to alpine meadows. While it was very foggy in the morning, the drivers were lucky that rains did not mar the day.
Tomorrow, the second leg will start from Manali and head towards Kaza via Gramphoo and Losar. It will cross over Rohtang Pass in an iconic Himalayan adventure.
