SHIMLA: The 10th Raid De Himalaya Rally will be held from 2nd to 9th October, 2008. Being India prominent motor sports event, Raid De Himalaya will cover a distance of 2050 kms through most rugged trains of Himalaya including Shimla, Sangla, Manali, Kaza, Keylong, Sarchu, Leh, Kargil and Srinagar. The Raid will finish at Srinagar on October 9, 2008 followed by prize distribution ceremony at Srinagar.

Reviewing the arrangements for the motor sport event here today, Shri T.G. Negi, Principal Secretary Youth Services and Sports said that the 10th Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya will be flagged off from Hotel Peterhoff Shimla on 1st October, 2008. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister will flag off the Rally. The Raid De Himalaya event is being organized by the State Department of Youth Services and Sports. He said that for the 2 wheelers, the event has been once again featured on the International Off Road Rallies Calender of the FIM, Geneva.

Shri Negi said that the Motor Sports Event was co-sponsored by the Department of Tourism, apart from the Tourism Department of Jammu & Kashmir. In addition to this the Indian army will also be extend its support for the success of the event.

He said that the rally will cover Shimla, Manali and Sangla in the first leg on October, 2nd and the second leg on 3rd will pass through Kaza and Tabo. On 4th October the rally would cover Kaza-Komik-Pin vally while on 5th October, the rally will pass Kaza-Keylong-Patsu. On 6th october the rally would reach Leh via Patsu-Sarchoo-Pong-Rumtse. Like wise, the 6th leg on October 7, will pass through Leh-Kargil area in Jammu & Kashmir. On 8th October the rally would reach Kargil and the last destination from Kargil to Srinagar will cover on 9th October.

Shri T.G. Negi has urged the Health Department to provide Doctors and Ambulances equipped to handle emergencies during the rally. The Police Department would be requested to extend its assistance in maintaining the law and order situation raising out of the large crowd expected to present during the course of rally. The Police will also help the organizers in keeping in completion stages clear for traffics on route. The Department of Information and Public Relations will work as a facilitator to inform the public about the rally to avoid inconvenience to travelers during the period of rally. He also urged the Public works Department to ensure that road and bridges will open. The Public works Department will also issue permit to the organizer of rally atleast 20 days in advance for the Rest Houses. A part of the Public works Department would also put up 3 distance Clibration Board on Navbahar-Bohimia road from 28th September to 1st October, 2008.

The event is open for cars and motorcycles. Most of the top ranked national rallying teams have entered the event. The Indian Army was entered 10 teams. There 4 women drivers the 4 wheeler category while 5 foreigners have entered in the 2 wheeler category riding Indian made motor cycles. The total number of entries received for the vent stand at 135. This number of entries is an all time record. In the 4-wheeler category there are 36 entries, including 59 for the Adventure Trail and 40 in the 2-wheeler category.

Klaudia Honeder, from Austria is the sole woman motorcycle competitor who finished 5th overall, in last years Raid. She will be riding a Suzuki 660 DR.

Additionally, cash prizes and trophies will be given to the top five competitors in each of the three categories totaling 10 lakh.