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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
India's lone female driver in Asia Pacific Rally Championship, Nikeeta Takale aspires to shine in WRC and Dakar
The only Indian female driver in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Nikeeta Takale, who won three podiums in the Sumatera Utara Rally, aspires to participate in the World Rally Championships and the gruelling Dakar Rally after achieving success. Takale, with her co-driver Sudhindra BG won three titles in the third round of APRC which concluded on Sunday, bagging APRC RC4 class, APRC Ladies Class and Sumatera Rally RC4 category. Her exploits have made her eligible to participate in the APRC Finals in Japan scheduled for November 6-8. 'This is my second APRC because two years back, I got qualified in India. But due to some reasons, I could not go to the finals. But this time I made it over here. And Japan is 100 per cent on track,' she told PTI. 'Being in the sport, everyone's goal. This is the dream come true rally for me, the APRC, which I had dreams of in 2022. So, step by step, I really want to do many more internationals. 'I want to gain more experience. I want to train with big trainers. And then obviously the WRC is my dream to drive,' Takale added. Takale, who began her motorsports journey in 2016, was inspired by her uncle, veteran rally driver Sanjay Takale, though she admits they rarely spoke about the sport. 'My first ever autocross I did when I wasn't even 18 years old. I took a three year gap but In 2021, there was autocross back in Pune, when I came there,' she said. 'In that autocross, I got the best amateur, the fastest driver amongst the guys. So that was the real energy that I got that yes, I have to be there in this sport. And that encouraged me a lot.' Takale, representing JK Racing, won her 100th podium in career after winning this rally and wants to increase the number further. 'I started my career in 2021 and it has been up and down,' said the 24-year-old, who is being supported by Vamcy Merla Motorsports. 'I got an opportunity for the Rally Star Hunt event, in which I was selected from Bangalore. So I was very happy. I kept winning, I kept putting my efforts. I had made a century in my podiums after winning this rally.' Takale also emphasised that motorsport is about more than just speed. 'The sport is not only about driving fast. It needs too many techniques. You need to learn the track. As with the track, your driving changes. And yes, I did train. I've trained with many different trainers from India. It has changed me a lot. I have become a more technical and professional driver now,' she said. Takale credits her father and husband as the two key figures behind her continued success in the sport. 'I'm a married woman who's there in motorsports now. If he (husband) wasn't, in these four years, I do not think I would have got into motorsports. It's been one and a half year, I can say now. The moment I entered motorsports, I gave in,' she said. 'No, he always tells me, whenever you take the name motorsports, keep me away. You please go enjoy, because he's a person who loves cars a lot. It's like you're destroying the car. So we are two different personalities in one house. 'For me, to start my motorsports career, the only man behind me was my dad, till the date and will always be him. The second man in my life was my husband. And he will obviously support me till I achieve my dreams.' Related Topics World Rally Championship
Hans India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
India's lone female driver in APRC, Nikeeta Takale aspires to shine in WRC and Dakar
Medan (Indonesia): The only Indian female driver in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Nikeeta Takale, who won three podiums in the Sumatera Utara Rally, aspires to participate in the World Rally Championships and the gruelling Dakar Rally after achieving success here. Takale, with her co-driver Sudhindra BG won three titles here in the third round of APRC which concluded on Sunday, bagging APRC RC4 class, APRC Ladies Class and Sumatera Rally RC4 category. Her exploits here have made her eligible to participate in the APRC Finals in Japan scheduled for November 6-8. "Yeah, this is my second APRC because two years back, I got qualified in India. But due to some reasons, I could not go to the finals. But yeah, this time I made it over here. And Japan is 100 per cent on track," she told PTI in an interview. "So, yeah, being in the sport, everyone's goal, I think, will be the same to drive the WRC and the Dakar. Yeah, hopefully planning soon to be there at the WRC round. But this is the dream come true rally for me, the APRC, which I had dreams of in 2022. So, yeah, slowly, step by step, I really want to do many more internationals. "I want to gain more experience. I want to train with big, big trainers. And then obviously the WRC is my dream to drive," Takale added. Takale, who began her motorsports journey in 2016, was inspired by her uncle, veteran rally driver Sanjay Takale, though she admits they rarely spoke about the sport. "My first ever autocross I did when I wasn't even 18 years old. I took a three year gap but In 2021, there was autocross back in Pune, when I came there. I really didn't want it to," she said. "In that autocross, I got the best amateur, the fastest driver amongst the guys. So that was the real energy that I got that yes, I have to be there in this sport. And that encouraged me a lot." Takale, representing JK Racing, won her 100th podium in career after winning this rally and wants to increase the number further. "I started my career in 2021 and it has been up and down," said the 24-year-old, who is being supported by Vamcy Merla Motorsports. "I got an opportunity for the Rally Star Hunt event, in which I was selected from Bangalore. So I was very happy. I kept winning, I kept putting my efforts. I had made a century in my podiums after winning this rally." Takale also emphasized that motorsport is about more than just speed. "The sport is not only about driving fast. It needs too many techniques. You need to learn the track. As with the track, your driving changes. And yes, I did train. I've trained with many different trainers from India. And yeah, it has changed me a lot. And I have become a more technical and professional driver now," she said. Takale credits her father and husband as the two key figures behind her continued success in the sport. "I'm a married woman who's there in motorsports now. If he (husband) wasn't, in these four years, I do not think I would have got into motorsports. It's been one and a half year, I can say now. The moment I entered motorsports, I gave in," she said. "No, he always tells me, whenever you take the name motorsports, keep me away. You please go enjoy, because he's a person who loves cars a lot. It's like you're destroying the car. So we are two different personalities in one house. "For me, to start my motorsports career, the only man behind me was my dad, till the date and will always be him. The second man in my life was my husband. And he will obviously support me till I achieve my dreams."
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Vaibhav wins RC3 title of the Sumatera Utara Rally, earns Japan leg spot
Vaibhav Marathe of Team JK Racing and Ashwin Naik clinched the RC3 title on the final day of the Sumatera Utara Rally Panaji: Goa's Vaibhav Marathe of Team JK Racing, making his APRC debut, alongside co-driver Ashwin Naik, stayed composed through the punishing terrain to clinch the RC3 title on the final day of the Sumatera Utara Rally. A formidable rally driver and three-time National Rally Champion, Vaibhav demonstrated his championship pedigree on the demanding Indonesian stages. With fearless driving, exceptional precision, and an unwavering competitive spirit, he delivered a stellar performance that earned India the title in Indonesia. The Goa driver's consistency across all stages, his adaptability to unpredictable weather, and his mastery over the gravel and dirt tracks around Lake Toba secured him qualification to represent India once again at the APRC final round in Japan this November. This achievement further cements his status as one of India's rally elite and reinforces Goa's place on the global motorsport map. Vaibhav's motorsport journey is an inspiring story of determination and excellence. Years of dedication, technical understanding, and mental endurance have enabled him to conquer some of the toughest rally terrains. Beyond his personal triumphs, he continues to inspire aspiring Goan drivers, proving that passion combined with perseverance leads to international success. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your New Zealand escape starts with Singapore Airlines Fly with Singapore Airlines Book Now Undo With the Indonesia title now to his credit and Japan on the horizon, Vaibhav Marathe stands as a shining example of Goa's sporting excellence and India's competitive spirit. The entire state now looks forward to cheering for their champion as he takes on the world stage once again this November in Japan Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Gill's vehicle breaks down, hopes to finish strong on Sunday
MEDAN (INDONESIA): After the first two stages on what was a bright sunny morning in Parapat, it looked like three-time APRC winner Gaurav Gill was going to run away with the Sumatera Utara Rally title. He had cruised with a lead close to 30 seconds and was ready to carry the momentum into the third stage. However, an unexpected mechanical failure at the start of special stage 3 meant he had to retire for the day on Saturday. The brand-new Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, which Gill was driving, came to a stop about 300 meters into SS3 when a throttle body failed. "We were fastest on SS1, and there was good rhythm and precision for me in stage 2 as well, which worked well. We made some changes to the tyres and suspension. After stage 2, we had almost 38 or 39 seconds lead, quite a big lead. Unfortunately, at the SS3 start, the mechanical failure happened, just 300 metres into the round,' a disappointed Gill said, sitting next to his teammates. The rare mechanical failure dampened the mood a little in the Gill camp, but the Arjuna Award winner is confident of making a comeback and scoring some crucial leg points. "We can have some penalties added to the time format that runs, and we are eligible to continue all day tomorrow. If we can put in some really good time, we can actually be top-3. So I won't be surprised if we end up in a good position,' said Gill. Former rally champion and Head of Operations, JK Motorsports, Hari Singh echoed the sentiment. "Obviously, a big setback for us after putting in so much effort and the cars arriving at the very last minute. It is disappointing when we have a winning car and a winning driver. The combination was perfect, but that's rallying. You win some, you lose some," said Hari Singh, who is JK Racing's team manager at this event. Meanwhile, Nikeetaa Takkale, India's only female driver at the event, had a good day on the track. Competing in Indonesia for the first time, the Pune-based driver delivered a faultless performance and is on course for a rare triple podium in the third round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship's (APRC) Asia Cup, held about 32 kilometres from Parapat. She is leading her class, the RC4 and the Ladies class. She is also likely to bag a podium in the Junior APRC. In RC3, Goa's Vaibhav Marathe, co-driven by experienced Ashwin Naik of Mangaluru, topped his class in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo, finishing seventh overall. Bopaiah KM was the best Indian finisher and sixth overall. Provisional results (Saturday Leg 1): APRC Overall and RC2 Class: 1. Ryan Nirwan/ Adi Indiarto (01 hour, 01min, 43.7seconds); 2. Musa Arjanshah/ Mohamad Herkusuma (01:02:05.8); 3. Aldio Oeken/ Respati Adhi (01:02:18.5); RC2 Class Indians: 6. Bopaiah KM/ PV Srinivasa Murthy (Kodagu/Bengaluru) (01:09:27.9); 8. Abhin R Rai/ Srikanth Gowda (Kodagu/Chikkamagaluru) (01:14.55.4); 10. Gaurav Gill/ Florian Barral (Delhi/France) (1:25:27.8) (DNF in SS3) (Penalty awaited). APRC RC3: 1. Vaibhav Marathe/ Ashwin Naik (Goa/Mangaluru) (01:14:15.6); APRC RC4: 1. Nikeeta Takkale/ Sudhindra Gopalakrishna (Pune/Bengaluru) (01:21:20.3); Ladies Class: 1. Nikeetaa/Sudhindra.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Calm before storm: Gill braced for tricky challenge
MEDAN (INDONESIA): Just as the teams and drivers assembled at the dais of the Sopo Tamaro hall on Friday for the ceremonial start of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, the mention of the one person's name led to a huge cheer — Gaurav Gill. The 43-year-old Indian is a three-time APRC winner and is now on a quest to establish his authority in the Sumatera Utara International Rally and win his fourth title. A well-established figure and a favourite going into the event, Gill is as excited as he was when he tried to drive his uncle Upkar Gill's car — when Upkar and Hari Singh, former rally drivers, had stepped out of the house — as a teenager. From that moment on, motorsport has been Gill's first and long-lasting love. "This has been my life, and the excitement level has never dropped, and it will never drop," says Gill, sitting in front of the Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, which is getting ready for the event on Friday. "When you love a sport or whatever sport you want to do, you choose to do it with utmost passion and 100% commitment. I still feel like I'm doing my first race. I'm still committed to win as much as I wanted to win when I was a young kid," he adds. Gill had skipped the first two rounds of the FIA-APRC because of some logistical issues, but is not too worried about the miss as he still has a chance of qualifying for the final round in Japan. However, it is not going to be easy. The weather in Parapat is unpredictable, and the terrain — which goes through tea plantations — can be tricky as well. Gill, coming in with a reputation based on his past performances, only adds to the pressure. The Arjuna awardee, however, is tranquil. "I tell myself to go hard or go home. That's my mantra in life. Because of my past races here and around this region, I've been looked upon to be on the podium, which is a good confidence-booster for me. This is how I take it. I don't take it as any pressure. I take it more like I've got a job to do and I must do it as best as possible," he says, before adding, "I think the bigger challenge is the terrain here rather than me adapting to the car. That is even bigger because it's so unpredictable that we can go out into the race with sun out, blaring heat, and in one hour, it could turn into a complete thunderstorm or a downpour and change the track conditions, completely flip it. Having said that, luckily, I have some good experience. Even today, when we went out for testing, you can see the car is full of mud. So, luckily we had a lot of mud in the morning, so we got a feel of how it's going to be, and then it dried out, so we had a feel of a little bit dry also." As Gill, with Florian Barral as his co-driver, looks to end the seven-year wait and win back the APRC title, he is one of the five teams representing JK Tyre and Vamcy Merla Motorsports. Gill is delighted to see the support he and the other Indian drivers are getting from Vamcy Merla. "It's amazing to see him supporting so many people. Not only me, but he is supporting other drivers as well. I just wish that he sticks around with us as long as he wishes to, and we will do our job when it comes to winning for him," he signed off. (The writer is in Indonesia at the invitation of Vamcy Merla Motorsports).
