Sikkim Secures Podium Finish At SJOBA TSD Car Rally 2025

In a remarkable display of skill and precision, the Sikkim-based duo of driver Annapurna Alley and navigator Puran Tamang clinched the second runner-up position in the Amateur category at the prestigious St. John Old Boys' Association (SJOBA) Time-Speed-Distance Car Rally 2025. The rally, a prominent event in India's motorsport calendar, saw the team finish third out of a field of 40 formidable teams from across the country.

The SJOBA TSD Rally is renowned for being one of North India's oldest and most challenging rally competitions, with a history dating back to 1981. It tests not just raw speed, but the participants' abilities in navigation, precise calculation, endurance, and coordinated teamwork. The 2025 edition of the rally was a two-day event, ceremonially flagged off on September 12 from St. John's High School in Chandigarh, and the main competition taking place on September 13 and 14.

The challenging route, designed to test the limits of both man and machine, steered competitors through rough village roads and narrow stretches across various districts of Punjab, including a night halt at a luxury resort. It was on this demanding terrain that Alley and Tamang demonstrated their exceptional prowess. Their strong performance marked a significant milestone for Sikkim's motorsports scene, bringing a major national accolade to the North-Eastern state.

Beyond the rally, both individuals are prominent figures in Sikkim. Annapurna Alley serves as the Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department for the Government of Sikkim. Puran Tamang is the editor of the English daily newspaper, Summit Times, and a respected journalist with over two decades of experience. The successful partnership of these two accomplished individuals showcases not only their talent in a demanding sport but also the diverse skills and dedication of figures within the state.