Latest news with #AsiaPacificRallyChampionship
The Hindu
9 hours 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
a day 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."
News18
5 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Tennis player-turner pro rally driver, Gaurav Gill eyeing his fourth APRC title
Medan (Indonesia), Aug 8 (PTI) Gaurav Gill once loved sending down booming serves on the tennis court but as years went by, zooming cars down the treacherous tracks became a passion for India's most decorated rally driver, who is a bonafide Asia Pacific Rally Championship legend. Returning to the APRC circuit after seven years, Gill must have had a feeling of deja vu, having won his maiden round at this very country at Makassar 17 years back in 2008. Gill will start as a favourite while the combo of Team JK Tyre and Vamcy Merla Motorsports unleashes a formidable five-car challenge at the event. As he took a trip down the memory lane, Gill recollected his journey from courts to the dusty tracks that made him one of India's foremost champions in motorsports. 'Actually, I was a very successful tennis player. I was a seeded player (at junior level) and I was pursuing it since I was 6 years old. My uncle Upkar Gill was quite a successful driver. Seeing him and multiple time National Rally champion Hari Singh drive, I grew interest in motorsport," Gill told PTI in an interview on the sidelines of the Sumatera Utara Rally, the third round of APRC which began here on Friday with the ceremonial start. 'They used to come to my house, and they were very young at that time and for us they were like, wow, you know, these are Gods. I want to be like him, that's how children looks upto elders. 'I had race cars in the house. So, obviously for me, it's a natural progression as a child to get behind the wheels and move in that direction. It motivated me to be a race car driver as I actually found it to be a very flamboyant career." An Arjuna awardee in 2019, only athlete from motorsports till date, Gill won the APRC title thrice in the past in 2013, 2016 and 2018. 'Because I can achieve whatever I want to achieve is for my self-satisfaction. But when this happens, it is happening for the community. It is not only for me," Gill said. While motorsport is a costly passion, people are making careers out of it, said Gill. 'I would like to say it (Arjuna award) was not just for me. It was for the motorsport. Because you get recognition for the sport. Everyone understands that this is not only an entertainment or a racing weekend for some rich kids or rich boys. You make a career out of it. Work hard for it." Gill counted the sacrifices which a rider or a driver needs to make in his arduous journey. 'I have gone through so many accidents, crashes, surgeries, yet I am here racing again. It is a lot of sacrifice in life. Staying away from family just like any other sport," he said. Gill said if an individual aspires he or she can make a career in motorsports, like any other sports. 'It is a sport, it is a career that you can choose. You can make a full-time career out of it. And if you click well, it pays way more than anything else also at the top level or at par with some competitors also easily if you can. It depends on what kind of discipline you are in," he said. 'Like I did, I made a full-time career out of it. The grid is tripled now. From where we were, we started with 20-25 cars and in the grid today we have 75 cars." Asked about his future plans, 43-year-old Gill said he will quit the day he feels someone is ready to take his place. 'Well, I want to keep driving as long as I want because this is what I love to do. Like I said, I still drive like I stole it. I am still as passionate as I was. I will continue to drive as long as I wish to because I know I can drive at the top level even now in terms of speed." 'But yes, if I see any talent coming up, I will always be available to help them or maybe give up my seat to let them drive also," he said. The 43-year-old is one of the favourites to win the title here, but he remained practical. 'Well, actually, the car is new but I've driven this kind of spec car before. So, it's not entirely new but, like I said, it's been a bit of a time gap since I drove it. I think the bigger challenge is the terrain here rather than me adapting to the car," he said. '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." PTI SSC SSC KHS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 08, 2025, 19:00 IST News agency-feeds Tennis player-turner pro rally driver, Gaurav Gill eyeing his fourth APRC title Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Goa's motorsports association gets racer car from SAG
Sports minister Govind Gaude tries his hands at the new car on Friday Panaji: The Sports Authority of Goa has handed over keys of a racer car to the All Goa Motorsports Association, a move sports minister Govind Gaude believes will give the sport a much-needed fillip. Not many take to motorsports in Goa due to the high costs involved but the state still has consistent performers at the national level with Vaibhav Marathe the most popular name. Last month, Marathe, an elite national motocross and INRC champion, made a mark at the prestigious Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in Chennai, finishing with Gaude as the chief guest for the event. 'You need lot of daring to succeed in motorsports, and plenty of support which the govt is trying to provide,' Gaude said while handing over the keys to the association on Friday. 'We have some good talent in the sport who can go places with the right support. They now have to get a worthy car.' The car is understood to have cost Rs 40 lakh with two motorsports enthusiasts and a leading tyre company picking up the cost. The motorsports association has been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the car. 'A lot of you will question why we've got a car when Goa does not have a track. I would just say, now that there is a racer car, we will find a track,' said Gaude. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Necochea (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo The APRC race in Chennai included two other Goans, Aditya Naik and Omkar Naik, both of whom came up with strong performances but faced technical setbacks as their car suffered a major breakdown midway through the race, forcing them to withdraw.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
FIA Asia Pacific C'ship: Harikrishan and Kunal to spearhead Indian challenge
Defending champions of APRC India leg Harkrishan Wadia and Kunal Kashyap of Arka Motorsports, along with reigning national champions Karna Kadur and Musa Sherif will spearhead Indian challenge at the Asia Zone round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship from April 25-27 at the Madras International Circuit. A record number of 21 entries have been confirmed and this is an all-time record for India in the APRC Asia Cup, which will be held alongside the FMSCI Indu Chandhok Memorial Indian Rally Championship (INRC), organised by Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC). The recce of all the 21 cars were completed on Thursday. Vicky Chandhok, President of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship working group, said, "Continuing his unstinted support from two years ago, for the FIA APRC, VamcyMerla has been involved in backing the event in Indonesia, New Zealand and of course in India. He continues to back the event as the promoter of the Indian round. Further, he has spontaneously always agreed to support the event in the interest of the sport without expecting anything in return. This is the kind of spirit and support that the MMSC enjoys with VamcyMerla as the promoter of the FIA APRC event in India and the InduChandhok Memorial South India Rally 2025." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Her Outfit Caught Everyone's Eye The Stadium True Edition Undo Speaking on his involvement in the APRC, promoter of the APRC India round and the title sponsor of the INRC VamcyMerla, whois also backing the InduChandhok Memorial South India Rally and most of the drivers in the APRC segmentsaid, "I am so glad to continue my relationship with the FIA APRC. I am absolutely thrilled to see a record number of entries in the FIA APRC segment. I am coming in as contributor to support this round and I am also extending my support for a couple of other rounds.".
