Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 18
Come October, the State capital Kohima will again host the 6th Horsepower Challenge 2015.
The event, scheduled from October 14 to 17, is being organized by the Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC) and supported by the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland.
The four-day event would be held in two venues – Nagaland Football Association Ground at Meriema village and Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
The official announcement was made during a press conference held this evening at Hotel Paradise, Kohima. Even this year, there will be riders and drivers from across the country and Northeast who will compete in four categories of the championship. It is expected that riders and drivers from Chennai, Bangalore and New Delhi would be making their participation in this year’s event, while more number of participants are expected from our neighbouring states. A new category of competition – Supermoto, would be introduced in this year’s challenge, the organizers informed. The other categories are SUV (autocross), motocross and Cars (autocross).
The total prize money for this year’s championship is fixed at Rs. 3,30,000. All the three winners of every class would be awarded with cash prize, trophy and certificate.The entry forms would be made opened on September 7, while the last date of closing of entries would be on October 5. The entry fee for Motocross for Northeast class is Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 for open class. For Supermoto, the entry fee for open class is fixed at Rs. 3,000. The entry fee for Autocross for SUV is Rs 4,500 and Rs. 4,500 for Cars. Entry forms would be available at TRAP cars and bikes, Kohima and Screwdriver, Dimapur.
For SUV (autocross) and motocross, the qualifying round is scheduled on October 14 at NFA Ground, Meriema, while the final would be held the following day at the same venue. As for Cars (autocross) and Supermoto, the qualifying round would be held on October 16 at Kisama Heritage Village, followed by the final on October 17 at the same venue. The reporting date for SUV and Motocross drivers is on October 13, while the reporting date for Cars and Supermoto drivers is on October 15.
The track at NFA Ground, Meriema will be Dirt track with long stretch, sharp turns, jumps and slash, while the track at Kisama Heritage Village will be Tarmac with long stretch, sharp turns, obstacles and gravels.
At the press conference, the organizers also informed that a cliniq for drivers and riders for both four wheelers and two wheelers would be conducted in the first week of October. Therefore, interested candidates are invited to attend the cliniq. It was informed that Sahail Ahmed from Hero Motor Cross Company and Lima Jamir, two-time winner of Raid De Himalayas, will be the resource persons for the cliniq on technical courses.
The NAC further informed that five drivers (cars) would be taking part at the Sutunga event at Jawai, Meghalaya, scheduled on August 21 & 22.
The NAC was formed in 2010, and since then the club has been creating platforms and opportunities to develop our local riders and drivers. While promoting sports in ours State, the NAC had played its part in promoting tourism and friendship in our land. In the past championships, drivers and riders from across the country have participated at the Horsepower Challenge, and that itself had significantly contributed in telling others about our people.
“The entire northeast is a safe place and pleasant. While promoting motor sports, it is also our desire to tell others about our land and people,” said NAC president K.K. Paul Rutsa.
“Not only by driving and riding, but they can also come and enjoy by touring our State by visiting places,” e added.
The NAC members also informed that the club working towards getting affiliated with the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI). And once it gets affiliated, the Horsepower Challenge would become a national event, wherein all the national drivers would come to participate in the championship, it was informed.
