Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive Announced Paying Tribute To The Indian Motorsport Veteran

The Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive has been announced as a tribute to the Indian motorsport veteran, who was the founder of the iconic Himalayan Rally. Backed by Team Firefox, the Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive will see the Himalayan Rally community comprising ex-participants, volunteers and officials come together to pay tribute to the legend. Hoosein was the founding member of the Indian Automotive Racing Club (IARC) and the former President of the Federation of MotorSport Clubs of India (FMSCI)  in 1984/85. He passed away in 2019 after a prolonged battle with illness at the age of 78.

The first edition of the Himalayan Rally held in 1980 was based on a safari rally format.

Speaking about the memorial drive, Rajan Syal, CEO - FMSCI, said, "Once we saw things slowly opening up, some of us involved with the motorsport community decided that we should do a drive, something to hark back the good times. That idea snowballed into doing something to commemorate Nazir Hoosein."

The Memorial Drive will see a 100 car field kicking off from Greater Noida on November 8 moving towards Lansdowne. The convoy will then move to Mussoorie on November 9 and Kufri on the 10th. The drivers will then head to the iconic route of the original Himalayan Rally - the Jalori Pass before halting in Manali. The final day will see participants cross over the Rohtang pass before concluding the memorial drive in Manali.

"The idea was to recreate the original route, for various reasons. In 40 years, a lot of the landscape has changed, and it will be interesting for former participants as well as fans to experience it," Syal said.  

A racer himself Nasir Hoosein's pioneering administrative work paved the way for motorsport enthusiasts in the country

The first edition held in 1980 was based on a safari rally format. The concept has stayed since with international participants being an integral part of the rally and the course.

Hoosein's pioneering administrative work paved the way for motorsport enthusiasts in the country. A racing driver himself, Hoosein is most popularly known for founding the Himalayan Rally, an event that reshaped Indian motorsport.

Remembering Hoosein, Gaurav Gill, multiple FIA Asia Pacific Rally champion and Arjuna Awardee said, "I heard about it as a young child and it really drove my passion for rallying. I am very happy to see this tribute to the iconic rally route in the Himalayas seeing such good participation and look forward to its great success."

"Nazir was a man of vision, and the Himalayan Rally brought international rallying to India," Farokh Commissariat said. "This year we also celebrate the 50th year of the IARC and it is fitting that the rally will allow us to pay tribute to him in a manner deserving of his stature."