India’s only international TSD (Time, Speed & Distance) rally is all set for a flag-off from Siliguri on Friday, February 23, 2018. The Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 6, now in its sixth edition, will cover 1650 kilometres over five thrilling days and traverse through the Dooars and Darjeeling Hills in North Bengal, and various picturesque routes in Bhutan and Nepal.
Being held in association with West Bengal Tourism, this unique rally aims at promoting motorsports, showcasing the enormous tourism potential of North Bengal and the contiguous areas of Bhutan and Nepal, and boosting people to people connect and drive tourism between the three friendly neighbouring countries.
Apart from being the only Tri Nation TSD rally from India, Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 6 is also distinct from other TSD rallies since it covers a wide variety of terrain, ranging from tarmac, river beds, dirt tracks, forest roads and mountainous terrain. It will skirt steep slopes that will not only present a tough challenge to the participants, but also a lot of thrill to them as well as spectators.
Around 30 competing cars, including top rallyists from the country, will take off from Silliguri on Friday morning and journey through North Bengal’s lush forests that are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, the one-horned rhino and the Asiatic elephant, as well as picturesque tea gardens before entering Nepal trough Kakarbhitta border hitting the East West highway to the famous jungle paradise Chitwan in Nepal.
February 24 will see the participants journeying to the famous jungle roads on the fringes of the Chitwan Reserve Forest areas through the gravel and dirt tracks before coming back to Chitwan for a well deserved rest for the participants.
The rallyists drive back from Chitwan through the Dooars on February 25 and after driving through the heart of Terai region in Nepal to enter India through the Kakarbhitta border en route to Murti in the Dooars for the night halt.
The rally participants spend the next day driving through the Dooars region going through serene terrain with it’s tea gardens, jungle tracks and river beds before entering the third country Bhutan at Phuntsholing .
For the fifth and final leg the participants will leave Phuntsholing through most amazing and adventurous hill tracks and climb up the hills to reach Darjeeling, the ‘Queen of Hills’ where the Rally will culminate. The gala prize distribution ceremony will take place at Darjeeling at 10:00 am on February 28.
The Rally draws inspiration from the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee’s vision of Connecting Bengal to its neighbours and encouraging People to People Connect in the region. The addition of Bhutan & Nepal to the Rally schedule making it a tri-nation event is another step in that direction and towards the aspiration of Biswa Bangla – Connecting Bengal To The World.
The fifth edition of the hugely successful Himalayan Drive Car Rally, which has become a landmark event in India’s motorsports calendar, saw nearly 30 competitors last year. It was for the first time last year that a TSD rally crossed the boundaries of the country to go into a neighbouring country, Bhutan connecting peoples of the two countries through adventure motorsports.
Sending his best wishes to the Rally, Indranil Sen , Minister of State for Tourism, Govt. of West Bengal said ; “The development of North Bengal, especially for tourism, is a priority for the Government. The Rally promises to showcase and unveil the lesser known and yet to be explored areas of North Bengal which, if properly marketed and will surely be one of the most treasured tourist destinations in India in times to come. I thank Just Sportz wholeheartedly for promoting such destinations.”
JK Tyres & Industries Limited, India’s leading tyre manufacturer, has been associated with Himalayan Drive as the Title Sponsor since its inception in 2013. According to Sanjay Sharma, Head – Corporate Communication and Motorsport – JK Tyres & Industries Limited, “We are really excited about the JK TYRE HIMALAYAN DRIVE 6. It is India’s only international rally that goes into two different countries. This is not only a great opportunity for our top rallyists but will also give a huge boost to the sport in all three countries.”
According to Tamal Ghosal, Director , Just Sportz, “The first five Himalayan Drive rallies have unlocked the great prospect of adventure sports in the Eastern Himalayas. Last year by including Bhutan and Nepal and making the event a 5 day event effort was made to make the Rally more adventurous and tested the endurance of the man and the machines. We are certain that the Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 6 will play the role of a catalyst for People to People Connect among friendly neighbouring countries and for encouraging adventure sports, especially motorsports in the region.”
Power Drive 