Dakshin dare

Indian National Rally Champion: For someone who won the Raid De Himalaya 11 times, Desert Storm six times, Dakshin Dare three times, lifted the SJOBA trophy seven times, and was the Indian National Rally Champion (INRC) in 2007, heading a rally event is more than just living in the fast lane.

Manali-based rallyist, Suresh Rana who started the ‘Rally of Himalayas’ in 2021 with 50 bikers and 20 four-wheelers, which he insists is now the only cross-country rally in the country (Raid De Himalaya stopped running several years ago and Desert Storm has not been organised for three years now) smiles that managing a rally is a completely different ball game than participating in one considering it involves intense planning, logistics, route selection and safety of the participants.

As the fourth edition of Rally of the Himalayas’ is set to take place from October 2 to 6 this year, which will boast of TSD (Time, Speed and Distance), and Extreme categories, the ace rallyist told IANS, "We are growing every year in terms of those wanting to participate and duration of the rally. It is our decision not to have more than a total of 50 participants."