Chandigarh 20 June ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said attempts by the ruling Aam Admi Party (AAP) to spread a false narrative regarding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s deposition at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and its attempt to stage dharnas against the Shiromani Akali Dal had boomeranged. Addressing a press conference here, SAD Chief Spokesman Arshdeep Singh Kler said AAP had attempted to gherao and stage protest at district headquarters of the SAD but its attempts failed miserably as they could not muster support of requisite numbers despite help from the police force. He said the videos emerging from different districts of the state had made it clear that only a meagre number of AAP workers assembled on the call of the party making the entire attempt a flop show. The SAD leader said similarly when Sri Akal Takht Sahib had released the video of the deposition of the Chief Minister before the Takht, the latter accepted Sri Akal Takht’s directive to get his...
Engines Roar as Chandigarh Set to Host 39th SJOBA Extreme RallyNight Stage Returns | UNA Terrain Added | ₹2.5+ Lakh Prize
Chandigarh 28 February ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Chandigarh is set to feel the rumble once again as the 39th edition of the St. John’s Old Boys’ Association (SJOBA) Annual Extreme Rally, presented by Robins Machines, roars into action from March 12 to 15th March, 2026. The ceremonial flag-off will take place at St. John’s High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh.
Now in its 39th year, the SJOBA Rally stands tall as one of India’s oldest motorsport events, carrying forward a legacy built on endurance, discipline and competitive grit. The rally strictly adheres to all rules, regulations and safety protocols laid down by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the country’s apex governing body for motorsports, ensuring world-class safety and sporting standards.
Addressing the media, SJOBA President Kunal Sekhri said: “The SJOBA Extreme Rally has grown into a landmark on India’s motorsport calendar. Each edition raises the bar, and the 39th promises to deliver both competitive intensity and organizational excellence.” This year, approximately 110 competitors, including 25 four-wheelers and 60 two-wheelers, will line up to tackle 12 special stages spread across three demanding days.
Night Stage Makes a Comeback
A major headline attraction this year is the re-introduction of the much-awaited Night Stage, a true test of nerve, navigation and machine control under limited visibility. The competitive stakes have also been raised, with cash prizes exceeding ₹2.5 lakhs awaiting winners across categories.
SJOBA Secretary Siddharth Gupta said: “The rally is about precision under pressure. The night stage adds a layer of strategy and composure that separates the very good from the exceptional.”
Fresh Terrain, Fresh Challenges
The rally route will chart a demanding course from Chandigarh through Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur and, for the first time, UNA, introducing a fresh terrain profile into the competitive mix before returning to Chandigarh.
Clerk of Course (CoC) SPS Ghai highlighted the course design: “Participants will encounter a diverse blend of non-concrete stretches, river beds, fast tarmac and technical hilly sections. The addition of UNA ensures that even experienced rallyists will need to recalibrate their approach.”
Adding to this, Deputy Clerk of Course (DCoC) Nagendra Singh stated: “Every stage has been mapped with precision. From route recce to emergency response deployment, the rally is structured to deliver high-performance competition within a fully compliant and safety-first framework aligned with FMSCI standards.”
Competitor Relations Officer (CRO) Prabtej Boparai shared operational details: “Screening of participants will commence at 8:00 am on March 12, followed by the ceremonial flag-off at 3:30 pm from St. John’s High School. The rally will conclude on March 15 at 5:00 pm at the same venue. The prize distribution ceremony will be held at Chandigarh Golf Range from 7:30 pm onwards.”
Competitors from across India are expected to participate, reinforcing the rally’s reputation as a national motorsport platform that blends regional pride with professional execution.
Comprehensive medical preparedness measures have been put in place across the rally route, with dedicated medical teams, ambulances and emergency response systems strategically deployed on the course as FIV’s (First Intervention Vehicles) to ensure swift assistance at every stage. The organizers have taken extensive steps to reinforce on-ground medical security, underscoring their unwavering commitment to participant safety. As engines warm up and countdown clocks begin ticking, the 39th SJOBA Extreme Rally promises three days of relentless competition, tactical precision and the unmistakable sound of motorsport at full throttle.
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