Ace rally driver Sanjay Takale, the first and only Indian driver to compete on four wheels at the world’s toughest rally raid event, the Dakar, is set to embark on his second consecutive appearance, journeying from Delhi to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Takale made his debut at the Dakar in 2025, becoming the first Indian to compete and finish in the Car category, where he secured 18th place overall and 10th in the Dakar Classic category, a regularity event for historic vehicles.
At 57 years old, Takale will once again race for Team Aerpace Racers, partnered with French navigator Maxime Raud. He will receive technical and logistical support from Compagnie Saharienne, France, which also backed him during his 2025 campaign.
With more than three decades in motorsport, Takale’s career includes motocross in the 1980s and a long stint in car rallying, highlighted by a title in the Asia-Pacific Production Cup and participation in selected World Rally Championship events. Hailing from Manjari village near Pune, he is considered a pioneer among Indian privateers for maintaining a significant presence in international rallying.
Reflecting on his debut appearance, Takale described finishing the 2025 Dakar Classic as a key milestone in his career. Regarding the 2026 edition in Saudi Arabia, he shared: “My goal is to complete the event again and improve on last year’s result through a consistent, disciplined approach.”
“The Dakar always fascinated me. It is the biggest, longest and the most challenging rally of all the rallies in the World. Competing there has been a lifelong dream. It’s not just a rally – it’s the ultimate test of endurance and spirit,” he stated after his initial finish.
The Dakar Rally remains one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events, covering stages across sand, dunes, rocks, and varied terrain over a two-week period. The Dakar Classic emphasizes endurance and navigational accuracy for older rally vehicles, testing crews on precision rather than sheer speed.
Takale is expected to be the sole Indian entry in the four-wheeler field for the second consecutive year, highlighting the still-limited Indian presence in international cross-country four-wheel rallying. The 2026 Dakar Rally will take place in Saudi Arabia, with the route anticipated to include a mix of liaison and competitive stages across the desert.