JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 7 gets flagged-off

Siliguri, February 27:

Defending champion Ajgar Ali and co-driver Mustafa Erode will start as a form favourite in the JK Tyre Himalayan Drive that got flagged-off amidst much fanfare from today.

India's premier TSD event which is in its 7th year of existence will see a strong pool of over 50 teams participating in it with the duo of Ajgar and Mustafa staying confident of completing a hat-trick of wins.

"We have come here well prepared and are very confident of our chances of going the distance. Well, it might not be so easy as I am saying considering the field, but yes we will give our best and hopefully go back with the title," Ajgar said ahead of the flag-off.

However, it won't be easy for the defending champions as they would face a strong challenge from Gagan Sethi and Raj Kumar Mundra. Gagan comes into the drive at the back of a great victory in the JK Tyre Hornbill Rally and would look to continue his good run here as well.

JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 7, India’s only international TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) rally was ceremonially flagged off from City Centre, Siliguri, by Inspector General of Police, Darjeeling Range, Manoj Verma.

The opening stage began after the sunset and this is the first time in the history of the event and night stage is being conducted.

The drivers will begin their journey from Siliguri and travel all the way to Murti going through forest roads, river embankments, the Teesta Barrage and past tea gardens.

The colourful flag-off ceremony at City Centre, Siliguri, also featured a traditional Gorkha band. A huge crowd of motorsports enthusiasts and onlookers cheered as the vehicles were flagged off by Manoj Verma, IPS, Commissioner of Income Tax Pankaj Kumar and SSB Deputy Inspector General Thomas Chacko. Wednesday’s night stage was the first such in the history of this rally.

JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 7, being organised in association with Experience Bengal (West Bengal Tourism), is not only India’s only international TSD event, it is also the country’s only drive that takes competitors through a wide variety of tracks slicing through lush forests and picturesque tea gardens, over riverbeds and skirting the breath-taking eastern Himalayas.

Apart from providing a unique thrill to the competitors and putting all to severe test their skills, Himalayan Drive also aims at showcasing this part of the globe and promoting the tourism potential of this region.