October 18th 1980, is one of the most significant days in Indian motorsport. It was when the first Himalayan rally was flagged off from brabourne stadium in Bombay. There were 74 participants out of which 27 were international. The route took participants from through Aurangabad to central India and then up to Agra.

From here they headed into the forests of the Corbett and then to lower-hills of Himalayas such as Shimla before finishing it in Delhi on October 25th. At the prize distribution ceremony, where Shekhar Mehta was declared the winner, Mrs Indira Gandhi was the Chief Guest.

But due to various adversities experienced by the participants in the rally, it could never live up to the potential of becoming a world championship and eventually died a slow death.