Rally driver Sanjay Takale became the first-ever Indian to take part in the four-wheel section at the Dakar Rally 2025, held in Saudi Arabia from January 3-17. (More Motorsport News)
The 56-year-old also became the first Indian to win an Asia-Pacific Rally Championship title (APRC) in the production class, partnering with a French team Compagnie Saharienne.
At the Dakar Rally, he will race with a Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ78 over 8,000 kilometres, with 5,000 kms of 12 special stages.
"My goal is to simply experience the might of Dakar and have fun driving in the dunes. It is a long journey and will be a good learning experience," Takale was quoted as saying by the PTI before the event.
Takale started off his motocross raced back in June 1987, and won over 100 trophies until 2001, and drew curtains to his two-wheeler career after taking home the bike National round title in Nashik for TVS factory.
He also became the first Indian to win the production class title in 2013 in Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.
Takale made World Rally Championship3 debut at Rally Finland and finished 14th in his class in 2018, and repeated it in 2019.
Takale works as a chief advisory officer for Aerpace, a transportation company, and has Maxime Raud as his co-driver in Dakar classic, which will take place along the main Dakar event.
