Shillong, Oct 1: Meghalaya rally driver Phoebe Dale Nongrum was adjudged the Best Female Driver at the 6th edition of the Rally of the Himalayas after finishing fourth in the T3 Xtreme category and eighth overall alongside co-driver Shahid Salman.
The four-day cross-country rally concluded on September 30 in Padum, Zanskar, after taking competitors through challenging high-altitude terrain in the Himalayas. Phoebe and Salman completed the rally despite mechanical difficulties and changing weather conditions.
The event was inaugurated in Manali on September 26, following documentation, vehicle scrutiny, safety checks and the drivers’ briefing. The opening competitive stage took competitors from Gramphu to Kaza through Kunzum La and the Lahaul-Spiti Valley, where rough terrain and snowfall added to the challenge.
The second day’s stage from Kaza towards Gramphu was delayed by nearly two hours following overnight snowfall across Kaza, Losar and Kunzum La. The organisers delayed the start over concerns about black ice. Phoebe and Salman also faced mechanical problems, with a rear damper and suspension spring dislodging and affecting the car’s performance.
The third leg, which began from Darcha, was shortened from the planned 77 kilometres to around 16 kilometres because of snowfall. The team then travelled to Padum for repairs and servicing ahead of the final stage.
The final leg on September 30 started from Padum and ended at Panzi La, taking the competitors across high-altitude terrain and past the Drang-Drung Glacier. Phoebe and Salman completed the stage to secure their fourth-place finish in the T3 Xtreme category and eighth position overall.
Team Meghalaya also produced a strong overall performance, with fellow Meghalaya competitor Aneesh Sangma winning the T3 Xtreme category and finishing fifth overall.
Their combined results earned Team Meghalaya the Best Team Award, adding another achievement to the state’s growing presence in national motorsport.
Phoebe’s Best Female Driver award recognised her performance and car-control skills through the demanding terrain and changing weather conditions, despite the mechanical problems faced during the rally.
In a press statement, the Meghalaya Motorsports Society and Phoebe Dale Nongrum also acknowledged the support of Hello Meghalaya and the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, during the rally.
