The Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya has always been one of the toughest motorsport events in the country. The 18th edition of the popular event has come to an end yesterday with the announcement of winners. Classified under two categories, Xtreme category participants had to traverse through some of the toughest terrains like Kaza, Spiti, Jispa and Sarchu while covering a distance of about 800kms. While, the Adventure category participants covered the scenic routes Manali, Solang Valley, Tabo and stood through the sub-zero temperature of Sarchu valley.
Suresh Rana and his co-driver Ashwin Naik, participating in the Xtreme category, clinched their 10th Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya title. They drove in a Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara with a total time of 03:42:02hrs. The second position was claimed by Tsering Lhakpa and Venu Ramesh Kumar in the Polaris RZR 1000, which clocked about 03:49:15hrs. While, the third position has been awarded to Sandeep Sharma and Karan Arya who have clocked 03:51:11hrs in their Maruti Suzuki Gypsy.
Driving the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Jagmeet Gill and Chandan Sen have claimed their fourth consecutive winner title in the Adventure category. Incidentally, the Swift from Maruti is also the first car to win the Adventure category. The second and third position in the Adventure category have been awarded to Ajgar Ali and Mohd Mustafa, and Sunder Singh and Zaman Daoud Khan respectively. The two teams competed in the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
In the Motoquad Xtreme category, Tanveer Abdul Wahid riding the TVS RTR450 secured the first position. While, the second position has been awarded to R Natraj who also rode the TVS RTR450. Umang Saxena on a KTM Duke 390 held the third position.
Winning it for the tenth time, Suresh Rana said, “It feels good to hold my 10th Raid trophy. It is even special since I have brought the trophy home in my own city. Like always, Raid is all about incredible comraderie and sportsmanship. We are all winners in our own rights.”
The organisers and the sponsors paid a tribute to Late Subhomoy Paul, who had participated thrice in Raid de Himalaya and several other international motorsports challenges. Speaking about the event, Vinay Pant, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki said, “I congratulate the indomitable spirit of all the rallyists who participated and completed the 18th edition of Raid de Himalaya. We are constantly encouraged to see the increasing enthusiasm in participation every year. We should also take a moment to remember and salute the incredible life of Late Subhomoy Paul, ace rallyist from Kolkata. His memory shall forever live in our hearts and guide us in succeeding against all odds.”
