Rana gears up as Raid de Himalaya is off the blocks

With picturesque mountains in the background, the 15th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya was flagged off at Kandaghat, near Shimla, on Saturday. The event, to be held in five categories — Raid Xtreme (4x4), Xtreme (Motorcycles and Quads), Xtreme (Alpine), Adventure Trial and Xtreme (Scooters) — has a total of 153 participants and culminates at Leh on October 11. In the premier event, Xtreme 4x4, Manali-based defending champion Suresh Rana starts as runaway favourite. The absence of Mahindra drivers Lohit Urs and Gaurav Gill only makes it easy for the seven-time champion. “It would have been good if they were here. It’s always fun to have a good challenge,” said Rana, who drives a factory-supported Maruti Suzuki Vitara. In Xtreme Motorcycles, Austria’s Helmut Frauwallner, riding a factory Yamaha WR 450, is the defending champion. “The sound of the engine keeps me young. This is my job, my passion,” says Frauwallner, who is 54. “This is the highest rally in the world. It is one of the toughest rallies.” Day One, which involves a tricky downhill route, calls for more brains than adrenaline rush. The first leg ends at Manali.