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The Hindu
7 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
12-08-2025
- 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
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Indias Sanjay Takale gears up for 30th edition of Asia Cross Country Rally 2025
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], August 7 (ANI): Veteran rally driver Sanjay Takale, India's flagbearer in the world of endurance motorsport, is all set to compete in the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR)–Asia's most demanding cross-country rally known as the 'Asian Dakar." The event kicks off with a ceremonial start on August 8 in Pattaya, Thailand, and will conclude on August 16, covering over 3,300 km through some of the region's most challenging terrain, as per a press release from Sanjay Takale's media driving Car #117 in Class T1D, returns to the AXCR grid with a rich legacy that includes being the first Indian to complete the Dakar Rally in a car (Classic Category) and the winner of AXCR in 2011. His team is also in contention for the Team Award Trophy this year. With 42 podiums from 48 rallies, Sanjay Takale's motorsport résumé includes championships across Europe and Asia, an APRC title (2012), and WRC outings in Finland. Now 57, Takale combines his endurance-driving expertise with a vision for the future of transport as Chief Advisory Officer at Aerpace Industries, where he helps develop flying car systems and vertical takeoff platforms.'This rally isn't just a race it's a full-scale test of resilience, concentration, and the machine. I'm thrilled to be back where it all began for me and proud to represent India on this historic 30th edition," said Takale as quoted by a press release from his media navigating uncharted forest trails or shaping future mobility from the skies, Sanjay Takale continues to inspire with his relentless pursuit of excellence on the throttle and beyond. (ANI)
India Gazette
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Gazette
Sanjay Takale gears up for Thailand Rally Raid Championship after completing Dakar Rally
Chachoengsao [Thailand], May 30 (ANI): After successfully completing the gruelling Dakar Rally, seasoned Indian rally driver Sanjay Takale is now set to take on a new challenge at the Thailand Rally Raid Championship, scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 1, 2025, in Chachoengsao Province. Takale, one of India's most accomplished and internationally recognised rally drivers, will compete in the T1 class--the premier category of cross-country rallying. Notably, he will be the only Indian participant in the T1 class, reaffirming his position as a trailblazer for Indian motorsport on the global stage, as per a press release. Speaking about the transition from Dakar to Thailand, Takale shared, 'The Dakar was a true test of endurance, grit, and mechanical reliability. Thailand Rally Raid presents a unique challenge--tighter stages, unpredictable terrain, and extreme humidity. Yesterday was a good practice session; I had the chance to push the limits of the Toyota Hilux. I am excited to be back behind the wheel so soon after Dakar, and proud to carry the Indian flag into the T1 class.' Known for his resilience and technical skill, Takale has consistently represented India at global rally events such as the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), FIA World Rally Championship, and most recently, Dakar 2025, one of the world's toughest motorsport events. The Thailand Rally Raid Championship is a major event in Southeast Asia's off-road calendar, drawing top drivers and teams from across the region. The two-day rally across Chachoengsao's rugged landscapes is expected to push competitors to their physical and mechanical limits. Takale's participation not only marks his debut in the Thai off-road racing scene but also continues his mission to promote Indian talent and visibility in international motorsport. With decades of experience and multiple podiums finishes across continents, Sanjay Takale remains a fierce competitor and an ambassador for Indian motorsport excellence. (ANI)
