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JK Tyre Rally of Himalayas 2026 Concludes with a Display of Grit, Speed and Himalayan Endurance Manali to Padum (Zanskar), 1 October 2026: The J&K Bank presents JK Tyre Rally of Himalayas 2026, one of the country's most challenging rally raids, concluded on 30th September after more than four days of intense competition across the high-altitude Himalayan landscapes of Lahaul-Spiti and Zanskar. The event brought together 50 cars and 80 riders to tackle some of India's most demanding mountain routes, where skill, precision, stamina and split-second decision-making were tested at every stage. Competitors faced demanding Himalayan conditions as they navigated steep inclines, fast stretches, unpredictable weather and high-altitude terrain that placed additional pressure on both machines and riders. From technical stages to challenging route navigation, this year's rally reinforced its reputation as a true rally raid, testing competitors on both speed and consistency. Flag-Off from Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti Challenge The rally was flagged off from Manali on 26 September 2026. Over the following days, participants pushed through rugged routes across Lahaul and Spiti, tackling challenging stretches that tested endurance and technical ability. The route featured iconic and demanding Himalayan passages, including the strategic crossing of Kunzum La, known for its extreme conditions and challenging driving lines. As the rally progressed, competition intensified. Teams and riders had to manage their pace while protecting their vehicles and equipment from the impact of altitude and rugged terrain, where even minor mechanical issues could bring an entire campaign to an end. Race Leadership: Rajiv Yadav Sets the Pace Early From the opening day, Rajiv Yadav established a strong presence in the field, taking the lead on Day 1. He built momentum through the early stages while keeping a close watch on strong local competition, particularly Aaryak Rana, who remained among the closely tracked competitors during the initial phase. With the rally becoming increasingly technical, maintaining position became as important as pushing for outright pace. The field delivered disciplined performances, while the standings began to reflect the competitors capable of combining speed with consistency across the demanding stages. 72 km Special Stage and Reverse Format Raise the Challenge The rally featured a standout 72-km competitive stage that was subsequently run in the reverse direction. The format presented a fresh challenge, requiring competitors to adapt braking points, turn-in timing and pacing strategies to a familiar route approached from a different direction. One of the significant moments of the rally came when Lakhpa Tsering, the 2015 Raid de Himalaya winner, was forced to withdraw his Toyota Hilux following a technical issue. His withdrawal highlighted the importance of mechanical reliability alongside driving skill in high-altitude rally raids. Daksh Gill Takes Control from Losar to Shinku La Following the reverse stage, the rally's momentum shifted towards Daksh Gill, who delivered strong performances and secured the next two stages, beginning with the reverse Losar to Gramphu stage.