Srinagar, Apr 7: After qualifying for Raid-de-Himalaya Motor Sports Rally, valley based adventure driver, Taufeeq Mughal, is all set for the event with his modified and hi-tech sports car.
In March Taufeeq qualified for Raid-de-Himalaya after participating in Sub Himalayan Motor Rally known as “Thunder Bolt” held from Chandigarh to Shimla, with distance of 550 kilometres.
It will be after more than 20 years that any driver from JK will participate in the event which is considered as toughest motor sports event in the country. Top professional drivers of the country consider Raid-de-Himalaya as the ultimate challenge of extreme motor sports. It starts in Delhi and culminates in Srinagar. The event takes place in September but registration ends in May. Taufeeq will participate in the event along with his navigator Ankur of New Delhi.
After qualifying for the event, Taufeeq needed to modify his car according to rally specific rules, which he did in New Delhi. Showing his car and the modification done on that, he said, “It is totally different from the normal vehicle. It is equipped with latest gadgetry like Global Positioning System; engine is totally modified with lot of power, seats are fitted in with extra belts which don’t allow driver and navigator to move whatever happens, it has got extra fuel tanks attached below plus the weight of vehicle has been reduced a lot due to scraping of back portion.”
All the expenses for modification, entry fee and travelling have been born by Taufeeq himself. “I’ve spent a lot of money till now. From participating in Thunder Bolt, autocross to modifying it has cost me in lakhs. Now I want sponsor for Raid as participating in that is really costly affair,” he said.
“I’ll participate in extreme category. I had thought to participate in individual but after studying rules of the event I thought it would be better to participate as team, which consists of four vehicles. I’ve got three drivers who have remained champions in previous event. But we need sponsors for fuel expenses, team entry and services expenses, uniform and spare parts,” he added.
About the sponsorship Taufeeq has pinned his hopes on Tourism department and private corporate houses. “Last year Tourism department sponsored Raid-de-Himalaya and brought it to Srinagar but there was no participant from JK. This year I’ve qualified and also prepared hard. Tourism department should have no reservations on sponsoring me atleast they can say we have got our own driver this time,” he said.
“I’m planning to open rally school in Srinagar next year and that will help the sports to get popularity in J&K. By doing that more and more youth will come forward for participating in motor sports events,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 15 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 15 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 IST