As soon as we started, we got stuck in a traffic jam just outside Manali which delayed us quite a bit. The first leg of the rally itself makes you feel the gravity, of what awaits ahead.ĭay 2 (or Leg 2) of the rally started from Manali, on the Manali-Leh highway. We were glad that we reached Manali safely. While travelling down, you need to keep checking your brakes, since its a long stretch and the brakes might stop working because they get overheated. Now the road goes down, again with similar slope & poor conditions of the road. But even after you've reached the top, the road ahead doesn't make it any easier. Also, not to forget the dangerous & blind curves. The climb to Jalori pass is very steep & the bad condition of the road, loose gravels, mud, makes it really difficult for the vehicle to climb even in the first gear. This pass is not as high as the other ones en-route, but definitely one of the worst terrains to drive on. We started the rally from Shimla going towards Manali via the Jalori Pass. The rally has multiple stages (called as ' Legs'). My partner was, one of my seniors & a very close friend, Saurabh Sir. Each participant team has 2 members, a driver and a navigator. I participated in Raid-de-Himalaya in Oct'2014, in its 16th chapter. I consider myself really lucky to even get a chance to be a part of this iconic event. Let me tell you beforehand that this event is strictly for adrenaline junkies. You have to contend with the hostile terrain and inclement weather which is always ready to surprise you. Men and machines compete for one whole week (which seems like never ending once you are there), but the other teams are not the only competitors. It doesn't only tests the durability of your vehicle, but it is also an extreme test of the participant's mental & physical endurance. The rally passes through some of world's highest and toughest motorable roads and mountain passes in the Himalayas, such as Kunzum La, Baralacha La, Nakee La, Rohtang Pass, and Jalori Pass. This is the toughest car rally in the country & also the only Indian event to be featured on the calendars of the Federation of Internationale De'LAutomobile. "RAID-de-HIMALAYA" is a motorsport event that is conducted on the rugged & rowdy roads of the Himalayas, stretching through Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir region, at high altitudes of upto 6000 meters from sea level.
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