Synopsis
Sanjay Takale returned to Pune after making history as the first Indian to finish the 2025 Dakar Rally in the Classic cars category. His remarkable achievement has inspired many in the Indian motorsports community.Key Takeaways
- Sanjay Takale is the first Indian to complete the Dakar Rally in Classic cars.
- He finished 18th overall and 11th in his class.
- Notable finishes included P7 in Stages 3 and 7.
- Takale has been a pioneer in Indian motorsport since the 1980s.
- He hopes to inspire future Indian motorsport participants.
Pune, Jan 20 (NationPress) Renowned Indian rally driver Sanjay Takale made his triumphant return from Saudi Arabia, having achieved a remarkable milestone as the first Indian to complete the 2025 Dakar Rally in the Classic cars category. This extraordinary accomplishment places Sanjay Takale among a select group of Indians who have successfully finished the Dakar Rally on their first attempt.
His arrival was met with a vibrant celebration, as the sounds of drums filled the air while he was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd at the Pune airport. The festivities continued with a reception held in his honor, organized by motorsport enthusiasts and friends on Sunday.
Takale, alongside his French co-driver Maxime Raud, represented the Compagnie Saharienne team in the Dakar Classic cars segment, a Regularity TSD event. He concluded the 14-stage rally by finishing fifth in the final stage without any penalty points, achieving an Overall position of 18th among 96 competing cars and a commendable 11th in his class.
His impressive performance also included a notable seventh position (P7) during early stages of the event, specifically in Stages 3 and 7. Additionally, he secured three top-11 finishes in Stages 8, 9, and 11. Competing as a member of the French Historic Rally Team, he drove a Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ78 in the Classic class, making him the first Indian to participate in the Dakar Classic and the first to finish the Dakar Rally in cars.
Born on February 2, 1968, Takale has been a trailblazer in Indian motorsport, beginning his career in motocross during the 1980s before shifting to rallying. He has garnered accolades such as the Asia-Pacific Production Cup Championship in 2013 and has competed internationally in events like the World Rally Championship (WRC), while also representing India at the FIA Motorsport Games, where he finished eighth in his debut tarmac rally.
“This journey has been truly unforgettable,” Takale expressed. “Dakar represents the pinnacle of motorsport challenges, and completing it feels like a dream realized. I am immensely thankful to my team, my co-driver Maxime Raud, and Aerpace for their steadfast support. I aspire to inspire more Indians to engage in the global motorsport arena.”
Takale’s performance at the Dakar Rally 2025 marks a historic moment for Indian motorsports, potentially paving the way for many more to shine on the global stage.
