38th edition of the SJOBA Rally 2025 to take place from 27th Feb to 2nd March

Chandigarh, February 15, 2025: The 38th edition of the SJOBA Rally 2025, the flagship motorsports event of St. John’s Old Boys Association (SJOBA) – the alumni association of St. John’s High School, Chandigarh – is set to take place from 27th February to 2nd March. The event will kick off with the ceremonial flag-off on 27th February at 5 pm from Sector 34 Exhibition Ground, Chandigarh, marking the beginning of an adrenaline-fueled motorsport spectacle.

The details of North India’s longest running sports event ‘SJOBA Rally 2025’ were shared by the organizers during a press meet led by Harpal Singh Malvai, President, SJOBA, along with Danish Singh Mangat, Secretary; SPS Ghai, Clerk of Course; Nagendra Singh and Shivam Garg, Deputy Clerks of Course; and Nipun Mehan, Club Steward.

Harpal Singh Malvai, President of SJOBA, said, “We are excited to be back with the 38th edition of the SJOBA rally. This year, it is set to become even more exciting as it spans two nights and three days. The mega event will kick off on February 27th with the scrutiny of the vehicles, starting at 8 a.m., and the rally will conclude on March 2nd at 4:30 p.m. at St. John’s High School, followed by the prize distribution at the CGA Golf Range."

Malvai added, “After the vehicles’ scrutiny, a ‘Super Special Stage’ will be held at the Sec 34 exhibition ground. We will have short, purpose-built tracks, around which members of the public can gather and see the machines driven by their owners in action. This will be a big draw.”

Danish Singh Mangat, Secretary of SJOBA and Competitors Relations Officer (CRO), shared that the SJOBA Rally 2025 will witness participation of 30 four-wheelers and 60 two-wheelers. The drivers of the 4 wheelers and riders of 2 wheelers will take part in four competitive sections each day.

Danish added, “The total prize money for the 2025 edition of the rally is around Rs. 6 lakhs, along with trophies, and there are additional awards for participants and winners. In the women's category, a total of 3 women-riders with their two wheelers are participating.”

While discussing the route, SPS Ghai, Clerk of Course (COC) of SJOBA, said, “The areas covered during the three days of the rally will include Ropar, Garhshankar, Mansowal, and Hoshiarpur. The route will be challenging and adventurous, covering ‘axle-breaking’ riverbeds – both dry and wet, fast tarmacs with winding hairpins, un-metalled surfaces, and exhilarating hilly terrain in Punjab and HP. The competitive stretches will be evenly spaced, followed by transport sections.”

Nagendra Singh, Deputy Clerk of Course(DCOC) of SJOBA, highlighted that the first SJOBA Motorcycle Rally was held in March 1981, and it evolved into the SJOBA Open Rally in 1982, which, for the first time, exposed amateurs in the region to motorsports in a professional manner.

Shivam Garg, another DCOC of SJOBA, added that the ‘Challenge Rally’ (Extreme) would be open to Jeeps, Cars, and Bikes and span over three days from February 28th to March 2nd, with participants required to cover approximately 200 km per day.

Nipun Mehan, Club Steward informed that the rally was being conducted with the affiliation of Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and that it will attract professionals and budding rallyists from the Chandigarh capital region, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi NCR, Rajasthan and other parts of India.

Dr. Vivek Kapoor, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), SJOBA Rally 2025 said that arrangements to tackle any medical emergency will be in place. Dr. Utkarsh Singh Anand, the other CMO of SJOBA Rally 2025 said ambulances will be stationed at important junctures of the rally route.

Navkiran Singh, Chief Safety Officer, SJOBA Rally said that FIVs (First Intervention Vehicles) supported by SJOBA marshals will be stationed at each competitive stage.

The SJOBA Rally 2025 is supported by Hero MotoCorp, Servo Indian Oil, Punjab Tourism, Vamcy Merla, Fortis, Coca Cola, Kandhari Beverages, Surbhi Packers, Isuzu, Paul Merchants and Doaba Group of Colleges.