Highlights of DAY 1- Leg 1
Route: Xtreme- Shimla - Jalori - Manali
Relaibilty: Shimla - Jalori - Manali

Day 1 saw the competition opening with 15 cars and 24 Bikers in the Xtreme category and 11 cars in the Reliability Trail. Sandeep Sharma's car (Car Number 5), went off the road near Bhali. Immediate first aid was given within 8 minutes of getting the information by the alert service team posted at regular intervals by the organisers and the DCOC, Praveen Grover. He sustained superficial injuries, but had to drop out of the race because of loss of time. Sarika Sherawat (Car Number 15), also had to drop out on DAY 1 due to mechanical trouble. 8 motorcyclists were disqualified for exceeding the Maximum Permitted Lateness of 2 hours.

All the applicants and their vehicles are checked as per the rules and regulations laid down by the body that controls motorsport in India and by the officials of the Himalayan Motor Sports Association. The participants for the race also had to go through a fitness test to determine their readiness to take on rough roads and weather conditions.

Maruti Suzuki recognized the tremendous potential for Motorsport in India long ago. In order to generate interest in motorsport, it have constantly organizes events, of which Maruti-Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya has become one of the most coveted competitions, with international recognition. Through these events professionals, amateurs, women, youth and even the elderly, have tasted the joys and thrills of motorsport.

This year for the very first time the 5th Maruti-Suzuki Raid-De-Himalaya sees participation in a new "Reliability" category which will open the raid to all motorsport enthusiasts who may not have the same experience as the professional rallyists. It will run on the state highways thereby minimizing the risks and making the track safe for the racers. This is open only to stock cars. The competition will feature three categories - Reliability and X-treme for cars and X-treme category for bikers.
Besides the main sponsor, Maruti-Suzuki, the event has been co sponsored by J K Tyre, GULF Oil Corporation and The Government of Himachal Pradesh.

The Himalayan Motorsport Association started the Maruti-Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya in 1999. The Himalayan Motorsport Association is run by hardcore motorsport enthusiasts having rallying experience of 15 - 16 years. The Raid is now listed on the international Off-road rallies calendar of the FIM, Geneva, Switzerland, as one of the 12 events worldwide that make the listing. This is the only motorsports event in India that makes it to this listing.

For further information please contact:

Maruti Suzuki India Limited Perfect Relations
Arun Arora - 23738141/ 98118 01234
Prateek Chatterjee- 09816162355 (Manali)
Puneet Dhawan- 98118 04784
Piyali Dasgupta- 981040848