Hot Maggie in freezing temperatures seems such a luxury for rallyist Sanjay Paul, a former Himalayan Car Rally driver, who still loves to storm through the colossal mountains to fulfil the extreme sports enthusiast in him. His first car rally was in 1982 during which he found his first committed companion—the Mahindra petrol jeep. In retrospect, that may not have been the best choice of car but Paul learnt fast. Years later, he officiates various motorsport events, a part of which is the upcoming 15th Raid De Himalaya rally, starting from Shimla and ending in Leh, founded by senior rally veterans.
This six-day event from October 6 to 11 is Paul’s top most agenda for the next few days. “Since the conditions are adverse, a lot of planning has to be done in terms of vehicle preparation, recovery equipment, clothing, gear, rations, survival and medical kits. Each time you successfully finish and bring back all participants safely from the highest motorable road in the world (18,380 feet, Khardungla), the feeling is unmatched,” he says.
Testing his driving skills and the sheer might of his machine against time and speed is an idea that has thrilled Paul since he was a young boy. He grew up reading and learning about various automobiles, with a special fondness for Aston Martin, Bentley and Range Rover. “It’s the magnetism of coming back year after year to see the same terrain, with a different perspective. This year, 20 enthusiasts are participating from the city. For people like Samar JS Sodhi, a 40-year-old expert, this will be his 14th year and for some, it will be their second or third year,” says Paul, who is always on the lookout for like-minded adventure junkies. So if you share the same kind of passion for cars, you are more than welcome to join Sanjay’s family. —AS