Ready for the Raid

SAFETY MODIFICATIONS
Roll-cage,Rs 17,000 to 1,50,000
?The roll-cage is the ultimate life saver,the one thing that allows drivers to walk out alive even after a big crash. This tubular structure inside the car prevents the roof from caving in. When the vehicle rolls,this holds the occupants in place using the four-point seat belts.

Seats,Rs 12,000 to 1,00,000 each
Rally vehicles have special seats,anchored firmly to the vehicle so that the riders are not thrown about. Without good seats,the driver and navigator will be flung out. These seats also have shoulder and lumbar support,plus extra strong seatbelts.

Fire extinguisher,Rs 3,000 to 12,000
Since vehicles are likely to burst into flames after high-speed crashes,a handy fire estinguisher can make a huge difference. Also essential is a circuit breaker,which cuts off all electrical circuitry in case of a crash or fire. These one-switch safety triggers are normally placed outside,on the right of the bonnet,close to the windshield,so that the first rescue guy can switch it off.

Tubular cell batteries,Rs 10,000
These carry gel in a mesh and have no acid,thus ensuring that if a vehicle topples,acid does not pour out of the batteries,adding to the risk of fire.
Underbody protection plates are also a must to prevent damage from stones and boulders during off-roading. These are normally made of aluminium and cost around Rs 10,000.

PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS
The suspension and the engine are two major upgrade areas. For one,rally vehicles have very good shock absorbers a set of four can cost approximately Rs 4 lakh,more than what a family car costs in India. Raid cars use eight of these in the X-Treme category. The length of the shocker also increases the ground clearance of the vehicle.

Wheels take the maximum hammering during the event,and hence are made of aluminium alloy. Normally,a rally vehicle uses two to three sets of wheels,and over 20 tyres for an event like the Raid de Himalaya. Different tyre types are also used for the competitive stages that cover tarmac and gravel,snow and water. Because of the extremely tough terrain,even the worlds best rims can develop cracks,and tyres can burst. The tyres can cost Rs 40,000 a set.

Increasing the engines volumetric capacity is a must for competitive motorsport events. The T1 category at the Raid allows participants to modify the engine by increasing Bhp output,to ensure greater power. You can have 1600 CC engines fitted in Gypsies which are originally 1300 CC. This modification can cost up to Rs 1,35,000.
High flow air filters are a must for high altitudes where oxygen is low. These filters block the dust,while giving maximum air to the engine. Rs 6,000.

Competition clutches are especially designed for racing. These ensure that the power produced by the engine reaches the wheel,and the clutch doesnt slip. Rs 8,000.
Exhaust systems are probably the most critical part of any engine. These ensure maximum back pressure,and hence create the loud noise. Almost 40 per cent of the engines power depends on whether the exhaust is correctly tuned or not. Amateurs take noteremoving the muffler will only increase the noise,not power. Often,it robs the engine of the real power. Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000.

The brakes must work,and work hard. There is much you can do to alter the brakes,especially if your vehicle has just two factory-fitted disc brakes. Four disc brakes are definitely more effective in competitive events. Rs 8,000.
The most popular vehicle in the X-Treme category at marathon cross-country events is the Maruti Gypsy. While the vehicle costs approximately Rs 5 lakh,you need to shell out an additional Rs 3.5 lakh for the modifications. The good part is that much of it is a one-time expenditure,like the roll-cage,the seats,the seatbelts,the exhaust and the engine.

WHO DOES THE TWEAKING
Since this is a specialised job,there are only a handful of garages in the country that do it. These are in Mumbai,Bangalore,Chennai,Noida,Chandigarh and Shimla.
The good news is that if you want to take part in the Raid,you can do it in your regular car too. The Raid de Himalaya runs two versions,concurrentlythe X-Treme and the Adventure Trial. In the Adventure Trial,you can participate in your SUV or family car. The safety modifications like a roll-cage and a seat belt are optional and entirely up to the participants choice. Moreover,no performance modifications are allowed. The Adventure Trial is simpler,but it isnt a cakewalk either. Old timers in motorsport agree that while on a scale of one to ten the X-treme would rank eight in terms of difficulty,the Adventure Trial will come a close six. So,are you ready for the Raid?