The  "Adventure Trial" which  previously tested car reliability  has grown to be a real test of endurance and outright native cunning. Infact, it has evolved into a complete Himalayan Adventure where the competition has been taken to a whole new level !

Earlier restricted to a "stock" format, this year there will be a separate group for modified cars for this category of the Raid. Allowed modifications shall include engines, suspension, exhausts, lights. (Details will be in the Supplementary Regulations soon).

These cars will, however, have to conform to the Safety Regulations of the Xtreme category. In short FMSCI specs roll cages, rally seats and belts, fire extinguishers etc will be mandatory.

If you want to go faster we have to ensure you have a fighting chance if things go wrong.!

Professional drivers / navigators will be classified separately ! There will be an Expert Group for them and an Amateur Group for those that are not amongst the previous years winners. (Details in the Supregs soon)

This will be a rally open to Cars and SUV's of any make and vintage  and will run as a Regularity Rally as per international norms. The cars will be in a separate group since they are handicapped somewhat in ground clearance when compared to the Suv's on the same event. Modified Cars and SUV's will also have different groups.

This means, that like every other TSD rally, you will be given an average speed to maintain over an unspecified distance  and be marked on the accuracy of your arrival, against the optimum timings set out as the target. The time controls along the route will all be secret except that of the Start and End of Leg check points! Being both early, or late, will earn penalties. Too fast may be worse than too slow !

The speeds on the Adventure Trial will be lower than those specified for the Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya - X-Treme ; yet they will be challenging enough to keep you on your toes !

X-TREME 4X4

The X-TREME 4X4  version on a scale of 1 to 10  would rate an 9 in terms of difficulty this year and it is strongly recommended that only 4X4 vehicles attempt an entry into this category.  

It is suggested that all first timers in the Raid participate in the Adventure Trial this year and then move on to the X-TREME 4X4  levels next year. However this is not cast in stone and first timers may be permitted for the  X-TREME 4X4  version after being assessed by the "Participation Committee" of Himalayan Motorsport for competence and preparedness.

The Moto-Quad X-treme category is the usual high difficulty category for the die hard, old timers. For first timers however, we are introducing the Moto-Quad Alpine group. This group is so named because it will run for 3 days only and conclude at Manali itself. This is in order to try and bring all those enthusiastic riders to the start line who lack both experience and the funds to attempt the entire route over 7-8 days.

Those who have already done the Raid in the Moto-Quad X-treme group  cannot take advantage of this new offer. So, we will attempt to foster new talent that may feel intimidated by the old, repeat winners of the biking fraternity. Different prizes will be set aside for this group. The course for both groups will be the same though. The entry fee for this group will be the least !