Raj Singh Rathore and Arvind KP have been declared as the winners of the 2015 Raid de Himalaya in the Xtreme cars and bikes category respectively.
Nine-time Raid de Himalaya winner Suresh Rana started the 17th edition of the event on a positive note, immediately establishing a one minute and 24 seconds lead after leg 1. However, Rana lost crucial time when his Maruti-Suzuki Grand Vitara flipped at a sharp turn, allowing Raj Singh Rathore to leapfrog him in a Polaris, which has shown good pace throughout the rally.
Tsering Lhakpa also finished ahead of Rana, sidelining the Manali-born driver to third place, 26 minutes and fifty-four seconds behind Rathore.
In the bike category, Arvind KP emerged as the clear provisional winner, with 2015 Dakshin Dare runner-up Natraj R finishing second. Former four-time winner Ashish Saurabh Moudghil completed the podium.
“I’ve won all kinds of national championships over the years. But this was my dream all this while,’’ a jubilant Arvind KP told autoX shortly after completing the final special stage. “This was the only trophy I didn’t have in my cabinet. So this win gives me a lot of pride.”
2015 Raid de Himalaya Results (provisional)
Xtreme Cars
- Raj Singh Rathore 10:40:56
- Tsering Lhakpa 10:56:58
- Suresh Rana 11:07:50
Xtreme Bikes
- Arvind KP 9:39:22
- Natraj R 9:57:29
- Ashish Saurabh Moudghil 10:20:18
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