Indian motorsport achieved a historic milestone as Sanjay Takale excelled in the Prologue Stage of the Dakar Rally 2026. Takale topped the high average speed Group H3 and secured the 35th position overall in the Cars category on Saturday. Despite the Prologue not impacting the overall standings, Takale’s performance in the Dakar Classic Group H3 made him the first Indian to grace the Dakar podium in the Cars category on Day 1.
Driving Car No. 722, Sanjay Takale steered his Toyota HDJ 100 through the 22 km Special Stage and 74 km Liaison, covering a total of 96 km. He outperformed seasoned international competitors to clinch the top spot in the H3 class. Jose Sole and Sergio Cerezo from Spain claimed the second position in a Mitsubishi Montero, with Raúl Ortiz, also from Spain, securing third place driving a Toyota RAV4.
Sanjay Takale’s participation in the Dakar Rally 2026 marks his second endeavor in the renowned rally, showcasing his enhanced skills and competitive spirit. Following his Prologue triumph, Takale will lead the way in Stage 1 from Yanbu to Yanbu, featuring a challenging 305-km Special Stage with intricate navigation and dune sections.
Known as the ultimate test of endurance, the Dakar Rally continues to set new benchmarks, and Sanjay Takale has firmly announced his presence on the global rally platform. In the previous year, Takale made his debut in the Dakar Rally four-wheeler category, finishing 18th overall and 10th in the Dakar Classic class. Racing for Team Aerpace Racers, Takale is accompanied by French navigator Maxime Raud and will receive support from Compagnie Saharienne, France.
In the motorcycle segment, India’s prominent rally-raid rider Harith Noah embarked on his 7th Dakar Rally campaign in the 48th Dakar Rally 2026 in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
