Tenth edition draws 33 drivers from across India; features SUV, rookie and car categories, with woman driver from Tura making debut
Tura, Nov 22: Bilgaro X 2025, the landmark tenth edition of the Garo Hills’ flagship motorsport rally, was flagged off in Tura on Friday morning, bringing together 33 rally drivers from Meghalaya, the Northeast and other parts of the country.
The event was formally inaugurated at 7.30 a.m. at Rongkon Bridge by Adamkid M. Sangma, Advisor of the Tura Motor Sports Club (TMSC), before participants headed to the Hill Climb starting point at Aguraggre near Asanang in West Garo Hills.
This year’s field includes drivers from Jowai, Shillong, Assam, Garo Hills, Nagaland and mainland India, underlining the growing profile of the rally on the regional motorsport calendar.
Among the notable names on the grid are two seniormost and widely respected rally drivers, Chiborlang Walnang from Jowai and Sandeep Sharma from Delhi, whose presence has added further prestige to the competition.
A key highlight of the 2025 edition is the participation of Noche Aranchiimiksa Sangma, the only woman driver from Tura.
Having previously competed in multiple rally events outside the Garo Hills, she is making her Bilgaro debut this year and has drawn appreciation for her role in representing women in motorsport from the region.
The rally features three competitive categories — SUV, Rookie and Car — aimed at encouraging a diverse mix of experienced racers and new entrants. The opening day began with the Hill Climb event, a challenging five-kilometre section of sharp curves and rugged terrain designed to test both driving skill and endurance.
The action will shift on the second day to the Sprint Rally at Dodinangre Asibra, where all 33 drivers are scheduled to compete on a fast, technical track for top honours across categories.
The two-day event will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony at Green Heaven, Tura, followed by a performance by CM-MGMP, giving the motorsport meet a festive finale.
Adding to the significance of this tenth edition is the participation of a national-level rally driver returning to the Garo Hills after nearly a decade, lending a sense of nostalgia to the milestone year.
Organised annually by the Tura Motor Sports Club since 2015, Bilgaro has steadily grown into one of Meghalaya’s key motorsport attractions, with the 2025 edition marking a decade-long journey for the rally in the Garo Hills.
