In a historic achievement for Indian motorsport, top driver Sanjay Takale delivered a standout performance in the Prologue Stage of the Dakar Rally 2026, finishing first in the high average speed Group H3 and 35th overall in the Cars category on Saturday.
Prologue Stage Highlights
The Prologue, which determines the starting order but does not count toward overall standings, saw Takale dominate the Dakar Classic Group H3, making him the first Indian to stand on the Dakar podium in the Cars category on Day 1. Driving Car No. 722, Sanjay Takale guided his Toyota HDJ 100 across the 22 km Special Stage and 74 km Liaison (total 96 km), finishing ahead of experienced international competitors.
Jose Sole and Sergio Cerezo from Spain secured second place in the H3 class driving a Mitsubishi Montero, followed by Raúl Ortiz, also from Spain, who finished third in a Toyota RAV4.
Takale’s Dakar Journey
Dakar Rally 2026 marks Sanjay Takale’s second attempt at the world’s toughest rally, reflecting his growing experience and competitive edge. Following his Prologue win, Takale will open the road for Stage 1 from Yanbu to Yanbu, featuring a challenging 305-km Special Stage with demanding navigation and dune sections.
Widely regarded as the ultimate test of endurance, the Dakar Rally continues to push limits, and Sanjay Takale has firmly announced his arrival on the global rally stage. As the only Indian participating in the four-wheeler category, Takale made his debut in 2025, finishing 18th overall and 10th in his class in the Dakar Classic category.
Team Support
The 57-year-old racer represents Team Aerpace Racers, alongside French navigator Maxime Raud, and receives technical and logistical support from Compagnie Saharienne, France.
In the motorcycle section, India’s leading rally-raid rider Harith Noah has also commenced his 7th Dakar Rally campaign in the 48th Dakar Rally 2026 in Yanbu.
Race Highlights – Prologue Stage (Day 1)
- 1st – H3 Class: Sanjay Takale (India), Toyota HDJ 100
- 2nd – H3 Class: José Sole / Sergio Cerezo (Spain), Mitsubishi Montero
- 3rd – H3 Class: Raúl Ortiz (Spain), Toyota RAV4
Takale’s Standings:
- Overall Position: 35th (Cars Category)
- Total Distance: 96 km (22 km Special | 74 km Liaison)