Munish Sood
MANDI:
The Second Kullu Festival of Speed came to a high-powered close on Sunday evening after three days of competitive motorsport action at the Dhalpur Ground in Himachal Pradesh. Organised by Himalayan Xtreme Motorsports, the event brought together more than 130 racers, including eight women, from different parts of India to compete across 32 categories.
Throughout the festival, the Dhalpur grounds stayed crowded with spectators, tourists, and motorsport enthusiasts who gathered from early morning until dark. The venue, surrounded by mountains, gave the event a distinctive Himalayan character, helping it stand out among India’s growing motorsport circuits. Rare high-performance vehicles, including a Polaris US-made model seen only a few times in the country, drew major attention.
One of the event’s strongest highlights came from Anupama Sharma, a government school lecturer from Sirmaur district, who won the Ladies Open Category in her debut appearance. Clocking 1 minute 31 seconds in her Fronx, she defeated a 4×4 competitor and set a new category record.
The final day also produced two major overall champions. Kullu’s own Happy Verma emerged as the Overall Winner in the Bike Category, while Chandigarh’s Deepak Prajapati claimed the title of Overall Winner in the Four-Wheeler Category. Both riders delivered standout performances across rounds, earning strong applause from the home crowd and visiting spectators.
Women competitors made a strong impression this year, with eight women entering various classes. First-time participant Reema Parmar said the expanding female presence highlights changing attitudes in Indian motorsports and will encourage more women to join in the future.
Despite the excitement and competition, the festival carried a clear underlying message: Speed belongs on professional tracks, not on public roads.
Lead organiser and celebrated rallyist Suresh Rana, an 11-time Raid-de-Himalaya champion, said the festival aims to provide a safer alternative for young speed enthusiasts. With safety gear, marshals, and rescue teams on standby, the event promotes discipline, controlled racing, and responsible driving.
A parallel message focused on youth development: encouraging young people to stay away from drugs and adopt sports and adventure as a healthier path. Many participants were administered an anti-drug pledge on the closing day.
Tourism and local economy get a boost
The festival has also begun positioning Kullu as a rising motorsport destination. Hotels, cafés, homestays and local transport operators reported increased activity as fans, racers and travel enthusiasts arrived for the event. Organisers say such events help extend the tourist season beyond the summer and autumn months, drawing visitors to the valley even in late November.
Local businesses noted that adventure-based events like this bring additional economic benefits, create new tourism opportunities and strengthen Kullu’s profile as a hub for high-altitude motorsport competitions.
With its large crowd turnout, strong participation and improved track arrangements, this year’s edition has set a new benchmark for motorsports in the western Himalayas. Organisers believe the festival’s combination of adventure, safety education and tourism potential will continue to elevate its national profile.
The festival ended on Sunday evening with the announcement of winners across all 32 categories, reinforcing three messages at its core: Respect speed, respect safety and choose sports over substance abuse. The success of the 2025 edition now sets the stage for an even larger and more competitive lineup next year.
