Touted as the 'battle of champions', the fourth edition of the Mughal Road Car Rally began here in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir this morning amidst much fanfare and enthusiasm.
The two-day rally, in which about 120 rallyists driving cars, SUVs and motorcycles will participate, was flagged off by minister of state for Home and Tourism, Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo at 6.30 am from the picturesque Royal Spring Golf Course here.
The rally has three categories - Rally Xtreme (cars), Rally Xtreme (Motorcycles) and Rally Enduro. The first two categories are fast paced, while Rally Enduro follows the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format.
Many of the best rallyists from across the country are participating in the event.
The champions in the country's first hill-climb motorsport battle include Limca Book of World Records holder, 49-year-old Sampada Rangnrekar from Mumbai, eight-time winner of the Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya Suresh Rana from Manali and three-time winner of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, Satish Gopalkrishnan.
The Mughal Rally takes its name from the Mughal Road, the historic path used by Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan to travel from Delhi to Kashmir.
The rally will feature a hill climb race to two of the highest passes in the country - Pir Ki Gali and Sinthan Pass, showcasing the state's amazing potential for adventure sports.
"The Mughal Rally has become a boost to tourism in the region and is already one of the most famous events on the motorsports calendar of the country," Kitchloo said.
He said all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the rally.
