Dimapur (Nagaland), Dec 4 (IANS): National championship leaders S.K. Ajgar Ali and navigator MK Mohammed Musthafa headline the JK Tyre Hornbill Rally, which will be run Friday after Thursday's ceremonial flag-off.

Ali and Musthafa are the defending champions in the event which they will start as the hot favourites and currently, they also are heading the FMSCI Indian National TSD Rally Championship.

The Hornbill Rally has attracted over 40 pan-India entries and that include last year's champions in the amateur class, Nitoka N. Chophy and navigator Philip Lam, one of the three entries sponsored by Spearhead Initiative.

The Rally was flagged-off here Thursday with Tovihoto Ayemi, Parliamentary Secretary Information Technology & Communication, Technical Education, Science & Technology and Taxes, doing the honours.

The event is organised by the Nagaland Adventure and Motor Sports Association (NAMSA) and coincides with the famous Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, a seven-day extravaganza of cultural performances, ethnic food courts, handlooms and handicrafts bazaars, film and art festivals, fashion shows and National rock music contest.

The Rally will conclude Friday at the Heritage Village, Kasima, the hub of the festival with Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang giving away the prizes.