Rallyists roll in despite violence

Undeterred by the spurt in militant-related violence in the Kashmir valley over the last three days, about 130 rallyists from all parts of the country are arriving here for the 4th Mughal Rally.

Undeterred by the spurt in militant-related violence in the Kashmir valley over the last three days, about 130 rallyists from all parts of the country are arriving here for the 4th Mughal Rally.

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This edition will be held over June 28 and 29. There are 28 teams in Rally Xtreme (4X4), nine riders in Xtreme (motorcycles) and 32 teams in Rally Enduro.

Different versions

Rally Xtreme is about speed while Rally Enduro follows the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format.

The scrutiny of vehicles will be held on June 27 in compliance with the regulations of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Federation of Motorsport Clubs of India (FMSCI).

Apart from Amanpreet Ahluwalia, second at Raid De Himalaya 2012 and first in the SJOBA Sub-Himalayan Rally 2013, other top rallyists include Amittrajit Ghosh, winner of the Mughal Rally 2012, Suresh Rana of Team Maruti, Satish Gopalkrishnan of Bangalore, Jagmeet Gill of Chandigarh and Mohit Verma, a champion biker.

The rally has four women teams this year in the TSD category.

The hill climb race will be held across two of the highest peaks in the country — Pir Ki Gali and Sinthan Pass.
Pir Ki Gali is the highest point on the Mughal Road, at an elevation of 11,500 feet. Sinthan Pass is at an altitude of 12,450 feet is on NH-1B, connecting Kishtwar and Anantnag.