How organisers ensure safety at Raid de Himalaya

Due to long stages, landslide-prone terrain and challenging weather conditions, chances of competitors injuring themselves are very high. Last year Subhamoy Paul died after falling off his bike in Kaza.

For starters, competitors themselves must observe precaution. Cross-country rallies are about controlled aggression rather than outright display of speed.  Pushing your car to 100% can lead to mistakes which can prove deadly.

In case a competitor injures himself /herself- either due to his own error or circumstances out of his/her control - the organisers have several vehicles positioned across the stage to provide medical support.

Two trauma ambulances are parked at the start and the end points, while eight mobile ambulances are placed at key positions within each stage for swift recovery. Moreover, the state government also provides nine, non-movable emergency vehicles of their own.

In addition, a helicopter is placed strategically in case of serious injuries. However, the caveat is that competitors will have to bear the bill for the same, making it an unviable option for most.

Helicopter bills maybe covered by a health insurance - compulsory for each participant - but the premium on such an insurance is likely to be high for privateers.

While all medical vehicles have highly-skilled doctors and necessary equipment, injured competitors can also be taken to any of the eight hospitals that are on standby.

Reporting accidents

While the organisers may have several medical vehicles stationed across the stages, they are of little use if accidents aren’t reported on time.

Due to poor connectivity in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, digital tracking of competitors is not possible. Hence, the organisers rely on three traditional methods to find out if any accident has taken place.

Firstly, a competitor may report to a radio-equipped marshal if he/she spots a striken car on his/her way. This remains the fastest way to report an accident as competitors are released at a gap of one-two minutes.

Secondly, marshals maintain a time chart of each competitor. If any driver or rider hasn’t reached the finishing line by a certain time period, he/she may have suffered an accident.

And finally roving ambulances may be deployed along with rally traffic to check if any competitors needs emergency support.

As it may take a while for organisers to send an emergency vehicle, competitors must carry food supplies for 36 hours as per the international standards laid down by FIA/FIM. They are also adviced to resort to any practice to keep themselves warm, including burning tyres.

On paper and given the location of the rally, organisers have taken every single measure to ensure each competitor returns home in one-piece. However, operational challenges mean Raid de Himalaya remains a dangerous cross-country rally.