Veteran rally driver Sanjay Takale cemented his pioneering status as the first and only Indian competitor on four wheels at the Dakar Rally, embarking on his second consecutive attempt at the world’s toughest rally raid. The 57-year-old ace journeyed from Delhi to Saudi Arabia, aiming to build upon his remarkable debut performance.
Takale made history in 2025 by becoming the first Indian to not only compete but successfully finish in the Car category of the Dakar. Driving in the Dakar Classic, a regularity-based event for historic vehicles that prized precision over pure speed, he secured an impressive 18th place overall and 10th in his class.
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For his 2026 campaign, Takale once again raced under the banner of Team Aerpace Racers. He was partnered with experienced French navigator Maxime Raud, receiving crucial technical and logistical support from Compagnie Saharienne of France, which also backed his inaugural effort.
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With a motorsport career spanning over three decades that began with motocross in the 1980s, Takale was regarded as a pioneer among Indian privateers. His extensive resume included a title in the Asia-Pacific Production Cup and participation in select World Rally Championship events. Reflecting on his initial finish, Takale described it as a key career milestone, fulfilling a lifelong dream to tackle the “ultimate test of endurance and spirit.”
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For the 2026 edition, his stated goal was to complete the gruelling event once more and improve upon his previous result through a consistent and disciplined approach. The Dakar Rally remained one of the planet’s most demanding motorsport contests, challenging crews across vast deserts and rocky terrain for two relentless weeks. As the sole Indian entry in the four-wheeler field for the second year running, Takale’s participation highlighted the growing, yet still limited, footprint of Indian talent in international cross-country rallying.
