[SJM1214]

Amazing thread Sudevji.

I am following Raid De Himalaya from last three to four years now. My live encounter with Raid was during Oct 2016, when we were travelling to Leh by Duster AWD.

These are some captures of my Travelogue from another forum.

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"From Kullu, we started noticing posters of "Raid de Himalaya". Raid de Himalaya is a high altitude extreme adventure race /rally on Manali Leh or Manali Spiti road. We knew that we were travelling on the same dates with them! The rally/race happens in collaboration with HPTDC, so during that rally, road blockage to give free passage to competitors is highly possible, and it was one of our biggest worries! Some 20 KM before Manali, at some hotel we saw all the Raid vehicles, that hotel was the starting line for Raid!!

We stopped for a while talked with some officials. We actually wanted to know their flag of time on next day so we can plan our move accordingly."

"Before planning our trip, we did a hell lot of research. Everyone was saying that Leh and October don't go together.” It will be cold”, ”snow hogi”, “road block honge” some even said “tyre fat jaynege”. Our another worry was, we were sharing dates with Raid de Himalayas!"

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So!! We were already at Palchan staying at the cosy homestay. Our Biggest question was what should we do? Do we leave before "raid" or after "raid"?

1st Option: We leave before raid competitors and let them pass us, on Rohtang top.
2nd Option: We leave after them, but there were heavy chances that we get stuck up in the heavy rush of Rohtang crazy tourist on Sunday.

We decided to keep our self ahead of Raid De Himalaya guys."


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"One Taxi guy was overtaking us at a sharp turn, we gave him enough space and there were heavy "peeeep poooop peeeep" from behind, someone was in a real hurry and someone was really fast. Well and there we witnessed the first Vehicle of Raid de Himalaya Extreme Category. It was a Suzuki Grand Vitara with Number 2 (later in Leh we came to know it was Suresh Rana a Ten-time Raid winner). We let him pass! Well, actually he made his way and rushed ahead."

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We encountered many bikers at Rohtang Top, Suresh Rana with his Grand Vitara overtook us after R top. It was exciting.

I wanted to know is there any course/training to do marshalling for this kind of events? What are the skill sets required?

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by sudev

Last year's fatality happened just kilometres from where helicopter was parked but from reports it was a case of DOA when doctors reached the site though immediate airlift to Kullu was organised. The balance legs for extreme were cancelled and competitor asked to return to Manali next day from Sarchu night halt.

To be continued...

We met Paul Subhamoy after Rohtang top during our Oct 2016 Leh trip.Date 08/10/2016.

A capture from my Travelogue from another forum.

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"We started towards Jispa from R top, roads were in bad shape, but we were in good mood. We kept stopping for photography. There was one Raid competitor standing there, we stopped and asked "all well?" he said "oh yes " with a big smile. I wished him all the best and kept moving. Later we came to know in leh that he was Paul Shubhamoy who died during Raid.RIP "
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A rare photograph of our encounter with Paul!



Mods: Sorry for back to back post but the topic is different.

[sudev]

Interesting to know that you were traveling alongside.

To become a marshal you join in local motorsports events and gain some experience and building network. Good driving ability and willingness to put in sustained time on road is essential. Use of radio, first-aid, GPS etc. can be picked up and prove an asset.

[sudev]

Some interesting stuff you pick up as marshal is driving techniques. Senior marshal's are mine of knowledge and the evening's - or late nights - when you get to swap stories and experiences are the best leg pulling yet learning times.

With lots of jargon flying around some senior would explain some concepts in simple language yet bring absolute clarity to mind.

For instance ABS and Traction Control are at base same concepts. Keeping the opposing forces within grasp of traction available between road and tyre. Think about it.

In one you are braking hard and trying to get road traction to stop your vehicles momentum. ABS lets you do this without loss of contact and consequent loss of control. In the other you are using same contact surface to pass on maximum power without loosing control. In one the brake forces are regulated in the other engine forces and dumbed down.

[sudev]

An interesting take by a marshal from another grueling cross country rally. Long read.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/chand...6333090624636/

[sudev]

This years Raid-de-Himalaya announced starting October 6, 2018. www.xraid.in

[sudev]

Sadly after 2018 the Raid-de-Himalaya has not happened.

I was reading this thread and cursing myself at numerous syntax and spelling mistakes. But it was a interesting read and brought back memories of all the excitement.