RAVANGLA, (IPR):The Leg 2 of Mountain Rush –
Sikkim TSD Car Rally 2025 successfully concluded today in the serene hill town
of Ravangla, South Sikkim. After a day of intense competition and challenging
navigation, rally teams reached the designated endpoint, marking the completion of one of the most rigorous segments of the event.
Flagged off from Lachung in
North Sikkim, the route for Leg 2 took participants through a demanding and
diverse terrain—traversing Chungthang, Dzongu, Makha, and Lingmoo—before
culminating in Ravangla. This leg was particularly testing, with sharp
inclines, winding roads, narrow village lanes, and muddy stretches challenging
both the navigational precision and endurance of every team.
The segment also witnessed
dramatic elevation shifts: from Lachung at approximately 9,600 feet (2,900
meters), descending to Makha at around 1,441 meters (4,728 feet), and ascending
again to Ravangla at nearly 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) above sea level.
According to the Federation of
Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), all vehicles completed the leg safely,
with teams arriving at the final checkpoint without incident.
However, the leg saw an emotional
moment as a senior rally team from Mumbai, sponsored by JK Tyre, was forced to
withdraw due to an abrupt health concern.
Harshada Shah (67), winner of
the JK Tyre WIAA Women’s Rally 2025 in Mumbai, and Jitendra Shah (69), who served as her navigator,
experienced a medical emergency at the start point. With the swift intervention
of the organisers, the couple was safely transferred back to Gangtok for
further care.
Despite the unexpected turn,
Shah expressed her admiration for Sikkim and its hospitality. “I would love to
come back to Sikkim and do more motorsporting here,” she shared, underscoring
the spirit of resilience that defines the rallying community.
Meanwhile, local participants
from Sikkim have been making their mark on the rally. Competing
shoulder-to-shoulder with some of India’s best, these teams have displayed
impressive consistency and skill, earning accolades from officials and
spectators alike. Their performances signal a promising rise of Sikkim in the
national motorsporting arena.
As dusk settled over Ravangla,
teams proceeded with routine vehicle inspections and rested ahead of Leg 3,
which promises to bring new challenges and opportunities for all contenders.
