14th edition | Raid de Himalaya | 2012

Raid de Himalaya is one of the toughest & brutal battle grounds for rally-raid, which is unlike any other place on earth. This event is held annually, mostly in October second week & the highlight of the event is that it is held at the highest motorable road in the world. Yes, it is the Khardungla where the rally passes through on one day and the competitors battle through the most harsh & inhospitable terrain in the world.

In this year's  event there are three manufacturers who are going neck-to-neck with their best crews, who have already proved their grounds in the past. Maruti Suzuki, the chief sponsor has just 2 cars [Grand Vitara], but with one driver who has won the event many times in the previous years in his Maruti Suzuki Gypsy King. Suresh Rana. Rana is also based out from the hills & knows the terrain well, so choosing him was an obvious decision as his name is much synonymous with the manufacturer.

Tata's are wielding their attack with their much suited & sturdy Tata Xenon 4x4 for the first time this year in the extreme category, with Taufeeq Mughal, Soham Hazara & Harkaran Singh behind their 3 wheels. Mahindra is extending their attack since the start of the year 2012 with their flagship model XUV5OO, with Lohitt Urs, Sunny Siddhu, & Amittrajit Ghosh on the drivers seat.

Now with the battleground all set with the warriors from the top three Indian car makers to challenge each other on the level playing field, the results are going to be tracked with great enthusiasm. If you thought that was all in the competition, then you can check the 50 confirmed entries with numerous Gypsy's & even a Maruti Suzuki Swift & a Mitsubishi Evo X.

So that was all about the EXTREME competition for the cars & trucks. There are about 30 confirmed entries on two wheels, and three more on quads [Polaris]. However, the notable riders from India & Austria are thin in the list, but Bangalore boy & TVS factory rider C.S.Santhosh is entered in a Honda CRF, so the intensity in the competition cannot be ruled out.

More details can be found the official site here. Entry list here. This rally-raid event is known for the worst attrition rate, with less than 25% of competition making across the finish line. If the roads, weather conditions are put on the blame, then the altitude sickness surely tops the list. So let us see who champs out this tough one..

From Austrian team of last year's competition.