NewKerala.com

Sanjay Takale Makes History with Dakar Rally Prologue Win in H3 Class

Indian motorsport history was made at the Dakar Rally 2026 as Sanjay Takale won the Prologue Stage in the high-speed H3 class. Driving Car No. 722, a Toyota HDJ 100, he completed the 96 km stage ahead of seasoned Spanish competitors. This victory makes him the first Indian ever to stand on the Dakar podium in the Cars category. Takale will now open the road for the demanding 305 km Special Stage of Stage 1, building on this momentum in his second attempt at the world's toughest rally.

Key Points: Sanjay Takale Wins Dakar Rally 2026 Prologue in H3 Class

  • Historic first for India
  • Dominated H3 class in Prologue
  • Driving Toyota HDJ 100
  • Second Dakar attempt
2 min read

Sanjay Takale wins H3 class at Dakar Rally 2026 Prologue

Indian driver Sanjay Takale made history by winning the Dakar Rally 2026 Prologue in the H3 class, finishing 35th overall and becoming the first Indian on a Dakar Cars podium.

"the first ever Indian to stand on the Dakar podium in the Cars category on Day 1 - Official Release"

New Delhi, January 3

Indian motorsport achieved a historic moment at the Dakar Rally 2026 as Sanjay Takale delivered a standout performance in the Prologue Stage, finishing 1st in the high average speed Group H3 and 35th overall in the Cars category, as per a release.

The Prologue, which determines the starting order and does not count toward overall standings, saw Sanjay Takale dominate the Dakar Classic Group H3, making him the first ever Indian to stand on the Dakar podium in the Cars category on Day 1.

Driving Car No. 722, Sanjay 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 (Spain) secured second place in the H3 class in a Mitsubishi Montero, followed by Raul Ortiz (Spain) in third, driving a Toyota RAV4.

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, Sanjay Takale will open the road for Stage 1 from Yanbu to Yanbu, featuring a 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.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a motorsport fan living in India, this is the news I've been waiting for. The Dakar is brutal. To see an Indian name leading a class, even in the Prologue, is incredibly inspiring. Hope this brings more attention and sponsorship to rallying here.
V
Vikram M
Brilliant! But a small note of caution – the article clearly says the Prologue doesn't count for the overall standings. It's a great morale booster and gives him a good start position, but the real test is the 305 km special stage tomorrow. Wishing him all the luck for the grueling days ahead.
P
Priya S
This is huge for Indian sports beyond cricket! We need to celebrate these achievements in other disciplines. Driving a Toyota against those experienced Spanish teams... kudos to Takale and his team. Jai Hind!
R
Rohit P
Makes me so proud! I remember watching the Dakar highlights on TV and wondering if we'd ever have a contender. Now we have one leading a pack. Hope Doordarshan or some sports channel shows proper coverage.
K
Karthik V
While this is a fantastic achievement, I do wish our media would give equal prominence to such sports throughout the year, not just when there's a win. The infrastructure and funding for motorsport in India is still very limited compared to Europe. This win should be a catalyst for change.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50