GANGTOK,: As part of the 50th Statehood celebration, JK Tyre 'Mountain Rush', a
national-level TSD (Time-Speed-Distance) car rally competition, is being held
for the first time in Sikkim from April 22 to 26.
With
JK Tyre as the title sponsor, the rally is supported by the Federation of Motor
Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), Government of Sikkim, and MSAEI. ‘Mountain Rush’
is being organized by Summit Times and the NGO Service to Mankind, with
Information & Public Relations department as the associate partner.
The
event is also supported by the Contractors Association of Sikkim, Sikkim
Adventure Motor Sports Association (SAMSA), Central Referral Hospital, Dainik
Bhaskar, SKM Tourism Wing, among others.
“A
Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) rally is a motorsport event where teams—typically a
driver and a navigator—must navigate a course adhering to a specific route and
average speed, rather than racing for speed,” informed Summit Times editor
Puran Tamang at a press meet here on Saturday.
The
rally will see participation from both professional and amateur TSD racers from
across India. It will feature four categories: National, Open Expert, Open
Amateur, and Sikkimese Local.
The
top three winners in each category will receive the following prize money:
• National: Rs 2 lakhs, Rs 1 lakh, and Rs
50,000
• Open Expert: Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000, and
Rs 20,000
• Open Amateur & Sikkimese Local: Rs
30,000, Rs 20,000, and Rs 10,000
The
rally will commence and conclude in Gangtok, covering all six districts and
aiming to give participants a feel of Sikkim's former capitals.
IPR
representative Dependra Sharma stated that the four-day ‘Mountain Rush’ rally
is fully supported by the State government, with IPR department as an associate
partner contributing in every aspect of the event.
SAMSA
founders Zangyal Dorjee and Klip Barfungpa, who are serving as marshals for the
rally, explained that marshals in TSD events act like referees. Local
volunteers are also being trained to serve as marshals.
Motorsports
Association of Eastern India (MSAEI) representative Ashis Bagchi stated that
MSAEI is handling the technical aspects of the rally.
“The
recce has already been completed, and the route remains undisclosed. TSD
rallies are precision-based competitions, focused on reaching checkpoints at
exact times based on a route book detailing distances and average speeds,” he
added.
FMSCI
council member Saurav Chatterjee remarked that the ‘Mountain Rush’ rally in
Sikkim will be a landmark event in the history of TSD rallies in India, with
top competitors participating from across the country. “FMSCI will oversee the
regulations,” he added.
Chatterjee
thanked JK Tyre, the Sikkim Government, and the entire organizing team for
hosting the event in Sikkim.
“Sikkim
is a beautiful State, and racers will pass through many of its prime locations.
Participants from within Sikkim will also experience its natural beauty,” he
said.
As
the title sponsor, JK Tyre will also bring supercars and superbikes for an
autoshow to be held during the rally. Professional stunt riders will also
perform at the event. Two national-level participants are being sponsored by JK
Tyre.
TSD
rallies emphasize teamwork and communication between the driver and navigator
to follow the route accurately and stay on time. These rallies can be conducted
with various types of vehicles and often take place on public roads or trails.
