Countdown begins....

So true.. So very few days for the event.

I was wondering why there was no buzz about the Raid here yet.... thanks Aman!

The dates and route are finally out on the website. http://www.raid-de-himalaya.com/2010/Xt ... eroute.htm

For the X-Treme:

9th October - 10th October 2011

SHIMLA

Administrative and Technical Scrutiny spread over 2 days to ensure Safety norms are adhered to as per the FiA, FIM and Federation regulations.

A Ceremonial Start is scheduled for the afternoon of the 10th October 2011, along with Drivers Briefing and the Press Meet.

11th October 2011 - Cliffhanger

Three special stages totalling about 75 kms of twisty fast mountain road will form the main course for the first day. Jalori pass will be absent for the first time in 13 years. The Raid will cross from Simla to Manali over a new pass- Chach Galu !

All stages have perilous cliffhangers. Staying on the road is the only priority.

Reconnaissance of the routes a must for Day 1.

12th October 2011 - Marathon

A Rally Raid is a marathon endurance event and the stages today will provide enough opportunity to test the long distance legs of your machine.

Manali to Leh will be done in a single day. 500 kms of mountain road will see 160 kms of rallying stages. Both, nearly all tarmac, the day's menu promises fast and technical adversity in plenty.

13th October 2011 - Sprint

The start on Day 3 will be easy and a short transport to Sakti will see the start of the sprint day. Over the Wari La and down into Nubra on a single 115 kms stage and then over the Khardung La and back to Leh for the night.

Two climbs, one up Wari la and the other up Khardung La, will tax your lungs and an unending descent into Nubra your brakes!

Though the prettiest pass in the region you will not see any of the beauty unless you break down!

Then there will be ice. Deceptive ice.

And the highest motorable road in the world to conquer.

14th October 2011 - Spaghetti

Day4 and the most winding routes down to Kargil from Leh. The spaghetti roads over the Jalebi Mor, Fotu La and Namika La will see tarmac driving at its best. Quick corners and no respite from the climbing and dropping natural roaller coaster into Wakha will see a first stage of to 83 kms.

Then a left into the Suru and Zanskar valleys for a short 40 kms dirt dash to Rangdum Camp.

A bitterly cold night awaits both drivers and service crew.

A thin alpine tent being the only refuge against the elements, minus 20 at least, will beg the question-"What the eff am I doing here " ?

15th October 2011 - Endurance

Day 5 and two extremely rough stages await. 186 kms out of the total 220 kms for the day will come at a time when the cars and crew are almost demolished. An extremely difficult night before will see the dishevelled crew and service patching together the machine for another trying day.

This promises to be the toughest day yet.

Survive it.

16th October 2011 - Nirvana

Day 6 will see a small early morning dash to Kargil and then a long transport into Srinagar. The lakes, abounding with lotus flowers and shikaras await as do wazwan feasts.

But to enjoy all these you would have to finish first.

17th October 2011-

Prize Distribution Ceremony

Entry list has Samir Thapar in an Evo X! Will be great to follow if that's accurate...

This should be FUN.
@ Zzapper i had the same feeling why no one is mentioning anythg on Raid... so here it goes.

Let's see if it lasts past Day 1!

He needs to be a lil easy with teh right foot and he should manage just fine over Day 1 .... also wheres this new pass that they going thru ???

You ought to know that better than anyone else Khaads! Home ground and all that....

its good to see that TATA MOTORS is making a huge effort into this event.
while in the TSD section, it is rumoured they will soon be competing in the "extreme" section...cant wait for that.

so whos gonna win???... Chirpal??

Adventure Trial route is out on the website. Wonder what the "test" for the SUVs is going to be all about?

9th October - 10th October 2011: SHIMLA

Administrative and Technical Scrutiny spread over 2 days to ensure Safety norms are adhered to as per the FiA, FIM and Federation regulations.

There will be a Test scheduled in Shimla on the 9th October 2011 for all the SUV's - 2WD and 4WD. The course will test each driver and his machine to a level 6 out of 10. We'd like your proficiency or lack of it to be an open secret before we plunge into the 'Raid abyss'.

A Ceremonial Start is scheduled for the afternoon of the 10th October 2011, along with Drivers Briefing and the Press Meet.

11th October 2011 - Leg 1 Shimla - Manali

After years of crossing the now tourist over-run Jalori Pass, the rally finds a new access into the Kullu Valley. The little known Magru Gala Pass will have competitors finding the depth of their driving abilities, and the new route into Kullu a novel experience.

A mixture of tarmac, gravel and outright mud and stones the day should be interesting as an introduction to the Adventure Trial.

The rally will bed down at Manali.

12th October 2011 - Leg 2 Manali - Dalhousie

A relatively simple run made more interesting by the fact that one would be crossing the Kullu, Mandi, Kangra and Chamba districts all in a single day. The view of the Dhauladhars should be magnificent and the crowded roads, albeit picturesque, would still be rife with challenges.

13th October 2011 - Leg 3 Dalhousie - Srinagar

By this day the novices and expert drivers alike would be completely 'one with their cars' and in sync with their navigators. This one is the big 'endurance day'. A brand new route over the Chatergala and Sinthan Passes will take the rally through the districts of Chamba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Pulwama to Srinagar the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir.

A 5 am start, 450 kms and a 17 hr long drive will be on the menu.

14th October 2011 - Leg 4 Srinagar - Rangdum

The run from Srinagar to Rangdum will be two faced. Tarmac till Kargil and then tarmac and progressively worsening gravel till the tented Camp at Rangdum. It will be the beginning of your long relationship with the Zanskar valley. Reaching the Camp will provide an insight into life as few know it. The cold seems less this year. Rangdum may even be hospitable.

15th October 2011 - Leg 5 Rangdum- Padum- Rangdum

The long 200 kms day will test the survival instincts of drivers and cars. If you break down here it will be a long way back home ! Do what you have to - survive it. Another cold night awaits.

16th October 2011 - Leg 6 Rangdum - Srinagar

If you managed to hold body and ride together, then today the early start will be welcome. You will want to be back to a strong cell connection, the endlessly beeping Blackberry and whatever urban peccadilloes you wish to find solace in. Evening at the banks of the Dal, and a hearty Wazwan meal might even have you starting to think kindly about the Raid.

17th October 2011- Prize Distribution Ceremony

Post Event scrutiny at 0900 hrs will have you waking late, relatively at least. The Ceremonial Flag In by 1100 hrs is compulsory, as are the kebabs served immediately afterward. Vegetarianism is an unknown persuasion in Kashmir.

Prize Giving at 1600 hrs means you are seated by 1530. The celebrations will conclude the event, followed by a dinner where the drinks are on us!

Hope they're doing the tracking this year!

Start order is out on the Raid site. So what are the predictions, will someone beat Rana?

participants,marshalls of the raid,please keep us updated about the latest happenings everday.we don`t mind hearing about the scrutiny too!!!

Very strange..... no buzz about the Raid this year? Don't think they are doing the tracking this time around either.

@All: Whoever has any info, please update here.....