Dakar 2025: Sanjay Takale first Indian driver to finish Dakar Rally

    Competing in the Dakar Classic class, Takale finished P18 overall.

    Published On Jan 18, 2025 02:31:00 PM

    5,643 Views

    Listen to this Article

    Sanjay Takale has scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian driver to finish the Dakar Rally. The 56-year-old competed in the Dakar Classic class this year, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ78 alongside co-driver Maxime Raud. He survived the gruelling two-week course to finish 18th overall.

    • Sanjay Takale secured a top-five finish in Stage 12
    • He finished P18 overall

    Dakar 2025: Sanjay Takale finishes P18 in Dakar Classic

    Takale has been racing professionally for over three decades and has collected more than 75 wins in India and abroad, including the Asia Pacific Rally Championship’s Production Cup in 2013. He’s now added yet another feather to his cap – becoming the first Indian to compete in and finish the Dakar Rally in a car.

    Sanjay Takale Dakar

    He entered the Dakar Classic class with technical support from the French team Compagnie Saharienne. This class is reserved for vehicles manufactured before 2005, and competitors run on a separate route, better suited to the vehicles.

    Unlike other classes, where the goal is to complete each stage with the fastest time, Dakar Classic follows a regularity rally (more commonly known as the Time-Speed-Distance or TSD) format. Here, the goal is to complete each stage in a specified time and at a specified average speed – something that brings its own unique challenges, especially in the tough terrain that the Dakar Rally is known for.

    He was 37th overall at the end of Stage 1 and steadily made his way up the order. A top-five finish in the final stage helped him finish P18 overall.

    Also see:

    Dakar 2025: Daniel Sanders, Yazeed Al-Rajhi win

    Ajith Kumar Racing secures podium finish at Dubai 24H

    Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.

    Comments

    ×
    img

    No comments yet. Be the first to comment.

    Ask Autocar Anything about Car and Bike Buying and Maintenance Advices
    Need an expert opinion on your car and bike related queries?
    Ask Now

    Search By Car Price

    Poll of the month

    Should the government cut EV import duties to 15 percent to facilitate Tesla’s India entry?

    Yes, it will help increase EV adoption

     

    34.38%

    No, it’s not fair to brands already invested

     

    49.66%

    It will not make a difference to the EV industry

     

    15.96%

    Total Votes : 1178
    Sign up for our newsletter

    Get all the latest updates from the automobile universe