2015 Raid de Himalaya: Raj Singh Rathore and Arvind KP declared provisional winners

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

1. Raj Singh Rathore 10:40:56
2. Tsering Lhakpa 10:56:58
3. Suresh Rana 11:07:50

Xtreme Bikes

1. Arvind KP 9:39:22
2. Natraj R 9:57:29
3. Ashish Saurabh Moudghil 10:20:18