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Burakam Ao (left) and Bharat Prasad seen here during the press conference at Hotel Aurora in Kohima on Friday, November 15. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 15 (EMN): One of the most-anticipated events, the 8th Horsepower Challenge of Nagaland, organised by the Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC), will resume after a gap of one year, from November 21 to the 23rd, at Phriebagei (Medical College) P Khel, Kohima village. The event will also be collaborating with 1st North East Championship culmination round where the champions will participate at the national level.
Speaking at the press conference at Hotel Aurora, on Friday, Burakam Ao, general secretary and Bharat Prasad, assistant general secretary of NAC informed that because of the unforeseen events they could not conduct the event last year. On November 21, the event will start at 10 am till 4 pm.
The categories for this year’s Horsepower Challenge are; in the four wheeler group, SUV category with 1st prize INR 80000, 2nd prize INR 60000 and 3rd prize INR 40000. In the Car open category 1st prize INR 100000, 2nd prize INR 70000 and 3rd prize INR 50000. In the Rookie category, 1st prize INR 40000, 2nd prize INR 20000, and 3rd prize INR 15000.
In the Motocross Enduro group; In the Bike open category 1st prize INR 50000, 2nd prize INR 30000, and 3rd prize INR 20000 and in the Novice category, 1st prize INR 30000, 2nd prize INR 20000 and 3rd prize INR 10000.
They also informed that there are about 30 participants from the state this year.
“Our actual plan was to have a North East championship and then sponsor the champion for national rally which is next year where they will represent the north east”, said Ao. They said that for an individual to participate at a national level, they need hype, back up team and financial assistance. “We want to encourage riders not to just compete among themselves but compete with the mainland India”, they said.
The two categories for North East championship are SUV and Open Car race where prize will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd. but only the two champions will be selected to represent North east at the national level. And the prize for this category is sponsored wholly by the Rutsa family. We are expecting 60-70 riders mostly from Assam and Meghalaya in this category, they said.
They also informed that the North East champion will be selected based on the overall total points they have earned based on their performance in the various rally events which was conducted across the North East region throughout and “our event will be the final rally for the North Eastern Champion”
This year the track will cover 10 km, they said. This year, for the Motocross Enduro Category, we will be testing the skill, stamina and strength of the participant and speed of the bikers will not matter, they added.
Rehan khan , who is a national champion and also who also gives training across the world will also be taking part and also four other national champions is on talk to participate but it has not been confirmed, they added.
This year they have also introduced a running trophy in the name of KK Paul Rutsa for the overall champion and not necessarily the champion of the horsepower challenge. “We will have our criteria of choosing the overall champion like car and his performance in the entire event”, they added. The prize will be sponsored entirely by the family.
They also mentioned that they club has not received any help from the government till now and the club is managing on its own.
Entry fee for the public during the event is INR 50 only and there will also be other activities like paintball competition, outdoor camping, stalls etc., they declared.
“We will take all measure to make sure that it is a plastic free event”, they stated.