Jk Tyre Himalayan drive ran through aromatic tea gardens of North Bengal and Sikkim

The ninth edition of the JK Tyre Himalayan Drive (an integral part of the prestigious G20 Tourism Working Group Global Meet that was held in North Bengal from April 1 to 3) was the epitome of an adrenaline rush inducing experience. It was held between April 1 and April 5 amidst the hilly terrains of North Bengal and Sikkim, The Himalayan Drive is a signature motorsports event in eastern India. Driving through tarmac roads, lush green mountainous rises and rocky tracks with a view of the River Teesta flowing beneath, inhaling the fresh aroma emanating from the tea gardens, the much-vaunted car rally shall be etched in The Telegraph's memories for a long time.

Supported by Experience Bengal, the Government of Sikkim and the Gorkha Territorial Administration, the five-day event was flagged off by G. Kishan Reddy, minister for tourism, Government of India, on April 2 morning from Siliguri’s Mayfair Tea Resort. From there it followed an unforgettable route in the lap of nature.

It was a grand affair with 28 participating vehicles that set out to travel through the Dooars, Sikkim and Darjeeling hills while soaking in the serenity of the scenic mountain ranges and dense forests. It was a platform that saw people from different states and cultures gather together for the sheer love for motorsports and TSD (Time-Speed-Distance) rallies.

Calcutta-based Joginder Jaiswal and his navigator Prakash Muthuswamy from south India took the JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 9 crown this year ended the winning streak of the four-time champion team of Ajgar Ali and his co-driver Mohammed Musthafa, who were the first runner-up position this year. Jaiswal and Muthuswamy bagged the prize money of Rs 1 lakh on their victory and the first runners-up team won Rs 50,000. Santosh Kumar and Nagarajan Thangaraj achieved Rs 20,000 prize money for attaining the second runners-up position in the Pro-National category. The Gurgaon-based all-women’s team of Jasmeet Batra and Kashish Mehta emerged victorious in the Open Class. Meanwhile, Pranjal More and Milindo Paul from Siliguri lifted the winner’s trophy in the Promotional Class.

FLAG OFF AND FIRST LEG

The rally was flagged off from Siliguri on April 2 by Union tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy, minister of state and minority affairs John Barla and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista. Also present at the flag-off ceremony were the ambassadors of 10 G20 nations and representatives of 29 countries participating in the TWG Meet in North Bengal (April 1-3). That made it a pretty grand event.

The 28 rally cars proudly flying G20 flags and those of representative nations like Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Canada and China, among others, took a round of Siliguri city before regrouping at Khaprail (on the outskirts of Siliguri). It was from there that the competitive section of the first leg started.

The competitors were embarking on a tough journey that demanded gritty determination, dedication and hardcore mental discipline — for them to emerge satisfied and victorious with a bag full of unforgettable memories from HD9.

Following the tulip (route map), the cars took to a river bed (one of the most challenging and tricky parts of the drive), followed by a smooth journey on tarmac before hitting the dirt roads at Simulbarie tea estate before finally getting on to Mirik Road, Phulbari Bypass, Gajoldoba Barrage, Odlabari, Gorubathan, Damdim and Chalsa before ending the day in Murti. This leg in total covered 208km and included stretches of tea gardens, paddy fields and forests.

THE SECOND LEG

The 194km route from Murti to Gangtok was a moderately challenging one. It passed through through beauteous tourist hubs like Chapramari forest, Samsing, Lava and Pedong before taking to the road to Pakyong airport before reaching Gangtok, the second leg concluded by dusk. It left the competitors to soak in the cricket chirping, pouring rain and the sudden darkness engulfing the hills at Gangtok before setting out for the final leg on April 4.

THE FINAL LEG

Sikkim minister of power M.N. Sherpa, Sikkim public health engineering minister Bhim Hang Subba and Soreng MLA Aditya Golay flagged off the final leg from Ganesh Tok in Gangtok. It was a chilly day and the HD members and the competitors all had high expectations from their final journey.

Leg 2 covered 194km from Murti to Gangtok and witnessed an uphill journey.

After a round of Gangtok with G20 flags, the competitive section was flagged off from Chungthang Road and head out to Darjeeling. Fully-focused competitors set out with their cars and whizzed past Temi tea estate, Namchi, Jorethang and Hill Cart Road before arriving at Gorkha Rangmanch Bhavan in Darjeeling. Gravel tracks and both metalled and dirt mountain roads were the mood board of leg three. After its conclusion for the day, the competitors gathered at their accommodation and shared, “It was the best track of the rally this season!” with The Telegraph.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

The prizes were distributed at a ceremony that took place in the buzzing tourist spot, Mall of Darjeeling. A few hundred feet away from famous eateries like Glenary’s and Keventers, the prize distribution ceremony held on April 5 was a grand affair. The chief guest of the event and the chief co-ordinator of the G20 Secretariat, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, handed over the trophies to the winners. Former MLA Amar Rai and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) executive director Samden Dukpa were also present to hand over the prize money and mementoes to the winners of various categories.

The final leg was the most interesting said the competitors while talking to t2. Right before gathering for the final night’s party, the TSD rally ushered in scenarios that have left a lasting impact on us.

The second leg was flagged off from Murti, North Bengal

The chairman of Himalayan Drive Siddhartha S. Bose (centre), Binny Sharma (right), chief coordinator of the rally, and Suchandan Das, clerk of the course, address the press on April 1. “As in the earlier episodes, Himalayan Drive 9 offered everyone involved with this epic event, a feast for the eyes and adrenaline for the body. The G20 link and a conspicuous increase in entries from all over India justified the national status of the event and was an indication of its attraction for more national entries in future.   We were extremely happy to see the growing number of ladies and local enthusiasts in HD9. Himalayan Drive is set to climb higher in the years to come,” said Bose.

The final leg was flagged off from Ganesh Tok at Gangtok, followed by a round of the Gangtok city and then a congregation at Chungthang Road from where the competitive section of the third leg of the rally started. It concluded at the Gorkha Rangmanch Bhavan in Darjeeling. 

Jasmeet Kaur Batra (left) and Kashish Mehta won the Open Class. The all-girls team from Delhi mesmerised onlookers and left an impressive mark on the HD9 rally this time. “The Himalayan drive is close to my heart as both the route and terrain are a driver’s delight. This was my second time here and I had a fabulous experience. Lifting the trophy in the open category was the icing on the cake along with the best women’s team trophy. Will be back for more,” said Jasmeet aka Jessie. “The route through the mountains was challenging as well as mesmerising. Pairing up with Jasmeet was a very good decision as we both understood each other and helped each other bag the position,” added Kashish.

“The 9th Edition [of HD] was unique as it became a part of the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting at Siliguri and Darjeeling as part of the Jan Baghidari initiative, i.e., taking G20 to the masses. HD9 continued to highlight the potential of Motoring & Adventure Sports in Darjeeling Hills, Dooars and Sikkim along with Nepal and Bhutan to a national audience,” said Tamal Ghosal, director, Justsportz

Calcutta-based Joginder Jaiswal (left) and his navigator Prakash Muthuswamy won the first prize.

Sikkim minister for power M.N. Sherpa (third from left), Sikkim minister for public health engineering Bhim Hang Subba (fourth from left) and Soreng MLA Aditya Golay (third from right) flagged off the third and the final leg from Ganesh Tok in Gangtok. And there was a band playing in sync.

Chief co-ordinator of the G20 Secretariat, Harsh Vardhan Shringla (second from right), handed over the prize money to the HD9 winners Joginder Jaiswal (right) and Prakash Muthuswamy (second from left).

HD9 got wrapped up at the Mall in Darjeeling (above and below).