JK Tyre has associated itself with the very first Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) Rally in the Sikkim region – the Himalayan Drive. The rally will cover regions of Sikkim, West Bengal, Darjeeling Hills and the pristine Eastern Himalayas. The three-day event will be flagged off on March 22, 2013 from Siliguri’s City Centre.
The Himalayan Drive is the first ever motorsport event organised in the Eastern Himalayan Region by Just Sportz Management Pvt. Ltd. with the joint support by the Government of Sikkim, West Bengal and GTA. The event has attracted more than 50 drivers and navigators from Kolkata, Siliguri, North Bengal, Darjeeling and Gangtok. The 400 kms long rally will traverse through the beautiful lush green landscapes of West Bengal and the mountainous terrains of Sikkim & Darjeeling Hills including tea gardens, forests of exotic flora and fauna as well as the majestic Tista River.
Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Head – Motorsport, JK Tyre & Industries Limited said, “We are delighted to be associated with The Himalayan Drive, which is a first of its kind endeavour in this part of India. This this heralds a new milestone in the promotion of motorsport in the Sikkim, Darjeeling and North Bengal region. We have already made a mark in Bhutan through our Indo-Bhutan Car Rally. Motorsport enthusiasts can look forward to a grand feast of thrilling action and adventure in West Bengal, Sikkim and Darjeeling hill areas, which promises some challenging terrain and breathtaking beauty, all in the beautiful backdrop of the mighty Eastern Himalayas.”
Mr. Tamal Ghosal, Director of Just Sportz Mangement Pvt. Ltd. and Clerk of the Course (COC) of The Himalayan Drive said, “The Eastern Himalayas has great potential for adventure sports and a TSD rally is the first step to unleash the great potential of motorsports in the region. With the able support of the enthusiastic Governments of West Bengal,, Sikkim & GTA we hope to create an iconic cross country motorsports event which will rival the best in the world.”
The rally route is for the most part on hill roads that are as high as 9500 feet above sea level. Day 1 of the rally will see the drivers covering a distance of 120km from Siliguri to Gangtok after the flag off. On March 23, which will be Day 2 of the rally, drivers will cover 185km from Gangtok to Darjeeling while on March 24 the cars will head back to Siliguri, covering 110 km.
The rally will culminate in Siliguri on March 24, 2013 where the winners will be announced at a prize distribution ceremony scheduled at the City Centre at 7pm.
The Himalayan Drive is also supported by Servo (IOC), Radio Misty, Sikkim Tourism, Telegraph and City Centre, Siliguri.