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Category: Indians Abroad
News about Indians racing in different motorsports events abroad
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Jason-Srinivasa Murthy, Chandan-Musa shine at RAAT Thailand Rally Championship Round 2
Lopburi (Thailand), 26 May 2025: Indian rally driver Jason Saldanha and co-driver PVS Murthy clinched the RC2.1 class victory while Chandan Manchegowda and experienced co-driver Musa Sherif took a podium in RC2.2 class, in the second round of the RAAT Thailand Rally Championship, held in the picturesque Khok Samrong district of Lopburi on Sunday.
This event marked Chandan’s international rally debut, a significant milestone in his burgeoning motorsport career.
Piloting a Suzuki Swift Sport for Team Insight & Ally, the duo showcased exceptional skill and coordination, clocking a total time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 58 seconds. Their performance not only secured them the top spot in their Super 2500/1500 Turbo RC2.1 class but also earned them an impressive second place overall, finishing only behind the RC1 class winners, Mana Pornsiricherd and Kittisak Klinchan of the Fast Forward Sport team, who drove a powerful factory-developed Toyota CHR.
In another notable performance, the Indian duo of Chandan Manchegowda of Bengaluru and veteran co-driver Musa Sherif from Kasargod, representing Gen-R Rally Sport, secured third place in the RC2.2 (Super 2000) class, completing the rally in 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 20 seconds, and finishing 14th overall.
This victory adds to Saldanha’s growing list of achievements in the international rally scene. Earlier this year, he, alongside co-driver Thimmu Uddapanda, won the first round of the RAAT Thailand Rally Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, marking their second consecutive victory in the series. The duo also made history in April 2023 by becoming the first Indians to win a title in their class in the Thailand Rally Nationals.
Back on home soil, Saldanha has demonstrated consistent performance in the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC). Notably, he secured a second-place overall finish and clinched first place in the INRC 2 class at the Blueband K1000 Rally in December 2024. His commendable performances at the Blueband Rally of Hyderabad and the Robusta Rally further underscore his prowess and dedication to the sport.
Musa Sherif, a stalwart in Indian rallying, boasts over three decades of experience, with more than 300 rallies under his belt, including 69 international events. A eight-time INRC champion, Sherif has been instrumental in mentoring emerging talents like Chandan, guiding them through the rigors of international competition.
With these commendable performances, Indian rally teams continue to make their mark on the international stage, showcasing skill, determination, and the spirit of competition. The next round of the RAAT Thailand Rally Championship is scheduled to take place in Sa Kaeo, Thesaban Mueang, from July 18 to 20.
Provisional Results (Round 2):
Overall 2WD winner: 1. Jason Deepak Saldanha – P.V. Srinivas Murthy;
RC2.1 (Super 2500/1500 Turbo): 1. Jason Deepak Saldanha – P.V. Srinivas Murthy (Team Insight & Ally – Suzuki Swift Sport) 1hr,07min, 58sec; 2. Natthapon Angrittanont – Ittipon Simaraks (Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand – Toyota Yaris Cross) 1:20.17;
RC2.2 (Super 2000): 1. Surarat Prapussorn – Thadakorn Prapussorn (Gen-R Rally Sport – Toyota Yaris) 1:13.34; 2. Visarut Lorkham – Yuttachai Poomploy (Suzuki Ciaz) 1:20.47; 3. Chandan Manchegowda – Musa Sherif (Gen-R Rally Sport – Toyota Yaris) 1:26.20; 14th place overall;
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Kush Maini takes pole to flag victory in the Monaco Sprint race: F2
Monaco, 24 May 2025: Indian star Kush Maini secured victory in the Monte Carlo Sprint Race for DAMS Lucas Oil, converting pole position around the Principality in the FIA Formula 2 World Champioinships.
The Indian driver held off fellow Alpine Academy talent Gabriele Minì, who finished second for PREMA Racing. Luke Browning inherited third for Hitech TGR after a time penalty for Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad.
AS IT HAPPENED
Maini got the perfect start, but Luke Browning fell down the order to fifth by Turn 1. His poor getaway allowed Gabriele Minì to climb up to P2.
Into Mirabeau, Lindblad attempted a pass on Jak Crawford for third but contact between the two allowed Browning back past for fourth and ahead of the American. The Campos driver emerged from the tangle in third but was later handed a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision.
With DRS enabled, Minì was on the rear wing of the race leader, the gap hovering at 0.3s in the opening 10 laps while the pair pulled over eight seconds clear of Lindblad in third.
The gap was neutralised on Lap 12 when the Safety Car was deployed to recover Joshua Duerksen’s AIX Racing #20. The Paraguayan driver was left in the barriers ahead of Portier following contact with MP Motorsport’s Oliver Goethe out of Mirabeau that left the AIX with race-ending damage.
Back to racing conditions entering Lap 15, Maini escaped from DRS range to Minì behind while Lindblad had Browning right on his gearbox in the battle for third on the road.
Goethe was on the move again, sneaking his MP car up the inside of Victor Martins at La Rascasse to take P9 on the road. Contact between the pair though resulted in a 10-second time penalty for Goethe.
With 10 laps to go, Minì was back to within 0.2s of the race leader, while Lindblad had dropped back by over 10 seconds in order to set up a late-race charge to minimise his time penalty.
The Red Bull Junior Team driver was told to push on Lap 22, and he immediately upped his pace to put a buffer between himself and Browning.
By the final lap, he was on the rear wing of Minì in second with Maini a further couple of seconds up the road.
It allowed the DAMS driver to earn his second F2 victory ahead of Minì, who fended off Lindblad across the line.
With Lindblad’s time penalty applied, it gave Browning P3 and dropped the Campos driver to eighth position.
Crawford wound up fourth ahead of Richard Verschoor, Sebastián Montoya, Leonardo Fornaroli, as Lindblad completed the points in P8.
KEY QUOTE – Kush Maini, DAMS Lucas Oil
“P1, first Indian to win in Monaco too. It’s a great honour and a dream come true. I want to say thank you to DAMS and everyone who has supported me. We keep believing!”
THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Alexander Dunne remains P1 in the Drivers’ Championship on 65 points but Luke Browning moves to within one point of the leader, second on 64. Richard Verschoor is third on 59 points with Leonardo Fornaroli just behind him in fourth on 54. Arvid Lindblad rounds out the top five on 46 points.
Hitech TGR are the Teams’ Standings leaders on 93 points, with Campos Racing second on 87. MP Motorsport are third on 71 points, with Rodin Motorsport and Invicta Racing completing the top five on 65 and 63 points respectively.
UP NEXT
The Feature Race follows on Sunday morning, with Alexander Dunne going from Pole Position and Victor Martins alongside him on the front row. Lights out is scheduled for 09:40 local time.
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Kush Maini ready to kickstart 2025 season with a win after taking reverse pole: FIA F2
Monaco, 23 May 2025: Indian star Kush Maini is hopeful that his reverse grid pole position in Monte Carlo will turn into a victory on Saturday in the Principality and give him and DAMS Lucas Oil a season-boosting result in the FIA Formula 2 World Championship.
So far in 2025, Maini confessed he has not had the season he envisaged since joining the French outfit but says there are positive signs even if there aren’t results to show that yet.
He also believes that a Sprint victory could be exactly what he and the team needs going into the rest of the European leg of the F2 season.
“Pace has never been a question mark. Jeddah, Imola – it’s always been there. Stuff hasn’t come together in a while now, but I hope this is the change for the better and I really enjoy working with my team. We get along really well. And I feel for sure like the best is yet to come.
“I think I just need to get my championship and kick-started and hopefully build from there. The last two years, I’ve always been in a very strong position early on and then fallen off so hopefully this year’s the opposite.”
Reflecting on the Qualifying session, Maini says that he felt he was able to get a clean run in and was thankful that traffic didn’t prevent preventing him from getting a laptime in.
The Alpine Academy driver says he handled the issue of clear air well with the team, enabling them to secure a top 10 start in both races.
“Honestly, last two years – 2023 actually, I was on for a really good lap, purple, and then traffic, and last year as well, I was outside the top 10. So it was scary going into qualifying, because there’s a lot of stuff that can be out of your control. But I think our session was very clean, and there were no real issues there.
“It was tricky overall. This time we were P5 but obviously with the groups split, P10 in the end. It’s not been the easiest start to the year. I feel Jeddah, we were very strong, and some things went out of our control, and then Imola, obviously my mistake. So it’s just nice to finally, finally, just be in the top 10 and really get our championship started.”
Looking ahead to the Sprint Race on Saturday, Maini will have a clear view into Turn 1, a coveted perspective around the streets of Monaco.
The Indian driver says he will be aiming to execute an error-free race, with overtaking opportunities so limited around the circuit.
“I think clean air in Monaco is king. You can really just enjoy driving and do a good race, manage everything. The main thing is now the start. Just get the start right and then focus on hitting your marks. It’s still a long way to go. I’m just happy and grateful that at least we’re in the top 10. Anything can happen in Monaco.
“No race is ever straightforward. There’s a lot of things that can happen, and we need to be on top of everything. Brake management and the start itself for example.
“It’s a very tight circuit, so being focused the whole time and taking nothing for granted, but it’s definitely one of the tracks where it’s tougher to overtake, so that is a positive.”
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Harith Noah all set to make a return at the South African Safari Rally
Sun City, South Africa, 17 May 2025: Dakar star and celebrated motorsports rider Harith Noah is set to take part in the third round of the FIM World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC) 2025, the inaugural South African Safari Rally, here from May 18 to 24. This is his first competitive return to rally raid events after an injury-led exit at the Dakar Rally, earlier this January. Noah registered for the Rally Raid World Championship for the first time but logged no points in the first round due to his exit and the injury kept him out for the next round at Abu Dhabi.
Noah, part of the Sherco TVS Rally Factory, had a crash during Prologue at Dakar 2025. He fractured his wrist forced him to go for immediate surgery. Now, just four months later, he’s looking forward to tackling the unforgiving South African landscape and getting back in the mix for his 2025 campaign, and can still salvage a decent position with two more rounds to go.
“After Dakar, I needed time to recover from the injury, but everything went well and I’m back to full fitness now. This is my first race since the crash, so there are definitely some nerves, which is normal. But the South African Safari Rally is a new challenge for everyone, the route is unfamiliar territory across the board. The key is to stay calm, get used to the bike again, and take it one kilometre at a time,” said Harith Noah.
South African Safari Rally brings the W2RC to South Africa for the very first time, promising a groundbreaking addition to the championship and offering one of the most challenging, scenic, and diverse rally routes yet. With extreme terrains and rapidly changing climates, the Safari Rally is poised to become a standout fixture on the W2RC calendar.
The 2025 W2RC season features five rounds across three continents, pushing riders through a wide spectrum of terrains and conditions. The year kicked off with the legendary Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, followed by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Now, the championship heads into uncharted territory with the debut of the South African Safari Rally. The final two rounds will take riders to Portugal for the BP Ultimate Rally Raid in September, before culminating with the iconic Rallye du Maroc in October.
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Sherco TVS Rally team signs up Bradley Cox to join Harith Noah and Lorenzo Santolino: W2RC
Bengaluru, 7 May 2025: The Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team announced on Wednesday the signing of South African rider Bradley Cox, who will join the ranks alongside seasoned competitors Lorenzo Santolino and India’s trailblazing rally star, Harith Noah. This strategic addition aims to fortify the team’s presence in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) as they gear up for the upcoming Safari Rally in South Africa, scheduled from May 18 to 24, according to a press release received here from Sherco team.
Bradley Cox: Rising Star in Rally-Raid
At 27, Bradley Cox has rapidly ascended the rally-raid hierarchy. After clinching the Rally2 World Cup title in 2024, he now steps up to the premier RallyGP category. Cox is set to make his official debut with Sherco TVS at his home event, the Safari Rally.
“I am very excited to be joining the Sherco Factory Racing Team. It is a dream come true to ride for a Factory team, and I am looking forward to what is to come,” Cox shared enthusiastically.
Harith Noah: India’s Trailblazer in Rally-Raid
Harith Noah, hailing from Shoranur, Kerala, continues to make significant strides in the rally-raid arena. In the 2024 Dakar Rally, he etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to win the Rally2 class and securing an impressive 11th place overall, the highest finish by an Indian rider in the event’s history. Noah’s journey has been marked by resilience; after overcoming a serious, injury in 2022, he returned stronger, showcasing his determination and skill.
His accolades include multiple stage wins in the Dakar Rally, notably in Stages 8 and 10 of the 2024 edition. Beyond Dakar, Noah has demonstrated consistent performance in international rallies, including a class victory at the 2023 TransAnatolia Rally in Turkey.
Despite a setback in the 2025 Dakar Rally, where he had to withdraw due to a wrist injury sustained during the prologue, Noah remains a pivotal figure in the Sherco TVS lineup. His experience and tenacity continue to inspire and elevate the team’s competitive edge.
A Formidable Trio for Sherco TVS
With the addition of Bradley Cox, Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team now boasts a dynamic trio poised to make significant impacts in upcoming rally events. The combined experience of Santolino, the groundbreaking achievements of Noah, and the fresh vigour of Cox position the team as formidable contenders in the rally-raid circuit.
As the team prepares for the Safari Rally, fans and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the performances of this strengthened lineup, confident in their potential to achieve remarkable results.
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Sarthak Chavan beats Chiranth to win Race 2 in FIM Asia Road Racing Championship
Buriram (Thailand), 27 April 2025: Sarthak Chavan, the Indian champion made a grand statement for India winning the Race 2 of the opening round at the 2025 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Chang International Circuit here on Sunday.
Sarthak Chavan beat his Indian mate Chiranth Vishwanath to become the pride of India after securing the top spot on the podium in the TVS ASIA One Make Championship second race. In Race 1, he finished fifth after he lost the suspension following a contact.
The race began with young rider Hunter Corney from Australia rocketing into the lead, closely trailed by Hiroki Ono from Japan and Sarthak.
Chiranth refused to stay deep within the group and sped up to join the front group. He even set a fastest lap time of 1’50:737s with a top speed of 207.3 km/h.
After swapping leads for several laps, the chequered flag came down in Sarthak’s favour. The Indian rider clocked his first-ever victory in the TVS ASIA One Make Championship with a time of 14’56:976s, 0.130s ahead of Chiranth Vishwanath from India. Hiroki rounded out the winning trifecta in third place with a time of 14’57:216s.
Hunter, in final lap, made contact with another bike, which caused him to lose control and drop back from the front group, ultimately losing his position in the battle for the podium.
Sarthak said, “Yesterday was not so good. I could’ve qualified for P1, but it didn’t go well. I had a big contact at Turn 3, and my rear suspension got locked in the mud guard. Yesterday, I was just thinking about what to do on the next day, and today I did it. The last lap was really intense; my bike felt like it was dropping a bit of power, but it was still a great race. I managed to do a good lap time and finish in P1. After about 10 years of being here, my national anthem is finally played in ARRC. I’m happy. Of course, some will say their bike is slow, but that’s not possible because everyone here has the same bike. It was a wonderful opportunity and race.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
Sarthak Chavan – India (14’56:976s)
Chiranth Vishwanath – India (14’57:106s)
Hiroki Ono – Japan (14’57:216s)
Atih Kanghair – Thailand (14’57:624s)
Md Ramdan Rosli – Malaysia (14’58:133s)
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Three Indians on show as TVS Racing gears up for a thrilling 2025 ARRC season
Hosur, 15 April 2025: At least three Indians will be on show displaying their talent, as TVS Racing is set to elevate the 2025 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) by bringing a diverse set of top racers from across the globe, making the competition more intense. Apart from Sarthak Chavan, Chiranth Vishwanath and KY Ahamed, there is a chance for another Indian to enter the fray as a wild card. The championship will kick off at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit between April 25 & 27, marking the beginning of an action-packed five-round season. Building on its strong legacy, TVS Asia One Make Championship (OMC) will see participation from five new countries—Spain, Australia, Switzerland, England, and Argentina—further strengthening its international presence. The 2025 season will also feature a race-optimized TVS Apache RR 310, engineered for superior performance, ensuring riders stay at the forefront of competitive racing.
Backed by four decades of racing pedigree, TVS Racing continues to push the boundaries of performance and innovation. In 2023, the TVS Apache RR 310 set a new top speed record of 215.9 km per hour in its class, showcasing the brand’s engineering excellence. Building on this momentum, the 2024 season saw it break its own lap records at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit and Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit. This year, the refined TVS Apache RR 310 features an enhanced aero package, increased power, and improved riding dynamics, ensuring riders have the most competitive machine on the grid. With a lineup of 15 elite racers from 12 countries, comprising both seasoned champions and promising new talent, TVS Racing is not just competing in the ARRC OMC; it is redefining benchmarks in global two-wheeler motorsport.
Commenting on the 2025 ARRC season, Vimal Sumbly, Headof Premium Business, TVS Motor Company said, “As we enter our fourth season at the Idemitsu FIM ARRC with the TVS Asia OMC, we are raising the bar once again with a race-optimized TVS Apache RR 310 and participation from diverse set of racers from five new countries. With top racers from 12 nations and key performance enhancements to the TVS Apache RR 310—including an upgraded aero package, increased power, and refined riding dynamics—this season is set to push the boundaries of racing technology and competition. Our commitment to motorsport excellence continues to drive innovation, nurture global talent, and reinforce TVS Racing’s leadership in two-wheeler motorsport. The 2025 season promises to be the most competitive yet, and we look forward to seeing our racers showcase their skills and set new benchmarks on the track.”
Ron Hogg, Promotions Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR) said, “TVS Asia has come a long way since its debut not only in accelerating the expansion of the two-wheel industry within its target market but also in crafting and executing sportsmanship beyond excellence for the Asian motorsports. This is evident not only from the year-to-year performances between man versus machine but also in its effort to progressively alleviate its standards through a diversified entry list. For the riders, this practice is an excellent approach in helping them reevaluate their level of performance in the face of new rivalries while simultaneously pushing them beyond their existing benchmark for greater success. As for ARRC, this ultimately aligns with our ongoing mission of expanding beyond the existing demography of interest. This is what we hope to continue inculcating through this championship – a partnership that stimulates excitement while providing an enriching and valued experience for all. Season 2025 is about to kick-start and we are thrilled to watch as it unfolds.”
Upgraded TVS Apache RR 310 for Peak Performance
The 2025 TVS Apache RR 310 is engineered for even greater speed, agility, and control. Key performance upgrades include:
· Enhanced engine power (+0.5 bhp) for improved acceleration and top speed.
· Friction reduction technology for optimized efficiency and durability.
· Aerodynamic refinements boosting water cooling for peak performance in demanding conditions.
Further mid-season upgrades will take performance to the next level, featuring:
· A more compact and minimized bike for better handling.
· 10% improved aerodynamic efficiency for superior race performance.
· Modified gear ratios for enhanced cornering speed and precision.
A Global Talent Pool for a More Competitive Season
This season, 15 elite riders from 12 countries will battle for championship glory. The lineup includes seven returning racers from the 2024 squad, three of whom are from India. They are joined by eight new promising racers, bringing fresh energy and an exciting challenge to the competition. The 2025 ARRC TVS Asia OMC rider lineup, includes:
Sl.No. Rider Name Country 1. Hiroki Ono Japan 2. MD Ramdan Rosli Malaysia 3. Sarthak Chavan India 4. Chiranth Viswanath India 5. Atih Kanghair Thailand 6. Kim Min Jae Korea 7. KY Ahamed India 8. Luis Miguel Spain 9. Hunter Corney Australia 10. Rendi Indonesia 11. Kanatat Jaiman Thailand 12. MD Haziq MD Fairues Malaysia 13. Leendro Paredes Philippines 14. Arysad Rusdi Singapore 15. Wild Card Entry India/England/Argentina The 2024 season saw Hiroki Ono from Japan dominate the ARRC OMC with his second title, while Sarthak Chavan from India made history as the first Indian to secure a top-three finish internationally. The 2025 ARRC TVS Asia OMC promises high-octane action, cutting-edge racing technology, and fierce competition across five rounds, kicking off at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit.
About TVS Racing
TVS Racing, a pioneer in building Motorsports in India since 1982, has been integral in growing the racing performance culture and has been pivotal in engineering the TVS Apache series through the company’s “Track to Road” strategy. The brand has redefined the sports segment by focusing on race performance, making it a highly desirable product for sports enthusiasts. This has resulted in TVS Apache and TVS NTORQ 125 becoming the fastest growing brands in their respective segments. TVS Racing is also the pioneer of the One Make Championship in the country, the first Indian manufacturer to introduce the series in India in 1994.
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Chennai’s Rivaan Dev Preetham excels in Academy karting series in Spain
Valencia (Spain), 15 April 2025: Talented Rivaan Dev Preetham, the only Indian to have won a race in the history of FIA Motorsport Games, once again showcased his skill and talent dishing out promising results in the second round of the prestigious Champions of the Future Academy Programme here on Sunday.
The reigning Micro Max National champion logged a poor qualifying time due to a strategy that did not work, but managed to finish a creditable P11 in the first final after a forgettable P21 and P27 in the heats. However, the 11-year-old bounced back, qualifying fifth among 37 competitors from around the world and finished a creditable P5 in the second heat. He went on to post another top-15 result finishing 11th in the second final for a satisfying outing in Round 2 where he garnered 22 points. The driver supported by Redbrick Constructions, Sankar group of companies and Chaicup, clocked a best lap of 1min, 02.442 seconds.
The global karting programme is promoted by F1 Academy for young professional racing drivers. The MSport product will return from Spain on Wednesday but will be back to training after a short birthday bash on April 18 to prepare for the Meco Meritus Cup.
The Grade 6 student of Lady Andal House of Children in Chennai, who won two National titles in 2023 and 2024 is looking for a hat-trick this year. In 2024, he put up an admirable show at the World Motorsports Games where he won a race and a heat before finishing 8th overall in the Karting Mini class among participants from over 40 countries.
“I’m very happy to be on pace with the top guns. This is good learning experience and I look forward to better results in the remaining rounds,” said Rivaan Dev. The third round is in Italy from July 2 to 6 followed by another three rounds in Hungary, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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Jason Saldanha, Thimmanna Uddapanda win Thailand Rally RC2.1 title
Bangkok, 30 March 2025: Mangalore’s Jason Saldanha and Thimmamma Uddapanda of Kodagu began the season with a bang winning the first round of the Thailand National Rally Championship (RAAT) in RC 2.1 class, at Nakhon Ratchasima, about 250km from here, on Sunday. They also finished a creditable second in the Overall category despite losing time behind a stuck car in Special Stage 4.
Driving a Suzuki Swift 1.4L turbo for ‘Team Insight & Ally,’ they made it their second consecutive victory at the RAAT, taking home the coveted title. “It is a mixed bag. We are very happy to have won our class and the feeling of lifting the Indian flag high is a proud moment. But for the time lost behind a stationary car, we would have won the Overall honours too,” said Saldanha and Thimmanna, about the SS4 incident where they could not continue as a car blocked the road. The organisers are yet to decide on the scratch time when the provisional results were announced. The duo were fastest in four Special Stages (SS) and clocked an overall time of one hour, 32.20 seconds for a total distance of 81.50km including a competitive stage distance of 38.63km in the eight SS. There are three physical stages. The Sanamachai Forest Park stage is the longest at 17.5km, the Rubber Research stage is 13.4km and the Wang Nam Sai is the shortest at 7.73km.
Saldanha, born on March 24, 1987, is a skilled Indian rally driver making waves in both the RAAT and the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC). Originally from Mangaluru, he now resides in Belur, Karnataka, where he continues to hone his craft in motorsports. Thimmanna, born on December 24, 1989, in Ammathi, on the other hand, brings in experience and stability to the partnership, with his expertise in navigation. He made his debut at Coimbatore in 2018.
Jason Saldanha and Thimmu Uddapanda Bopanna in the stages at Thailand National Rally Championship (RAAT) Round 1 on Sunday. Saldanha’s breakthrough moment came in April 2023 when he and his co-driver, Thimmanna Uddapanda made history by becoming the first Indians to win a title in their class in the Thailand Rally Nationals. Driving for ‘Team Insight & Ally,’ the duo etched their names in the record books with this remarkable achievement.
In December 2024, Saldanha delivered another stellar performance at the INRC Blueband K1000 Rally, their home rally. Competing in the INRC 2 category alongside Uddapanda Thimanna in a Maruti Baleno RS 1.0 for Arka Motorsports, he secured an impressive second-place overall finish and clinched first place in the INRC 2 class. Earlier in the season, at the INRC Blueband Rally of Hyderabad, he and Thimanna finished fifth overall and third in their category. Saldanha also put up a strong fight at the 2024 Robusta Rally, the penultimate round of the INRC. In a tightly-contested race, he narrowly missed a podium finish, placing fourth overall—just a second behind Aditya Thakur in the INRC 2 category.
Saldanha and Thimmanna continue to improve their game and are a formidable force in Indian motorsports, showcasing their talent on both national and international rally circuits. Their next event will be the South India Rally in Chennai from April 24 to 27.
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Naveen Pulligilla and Musa Sherif make history as the first “all-Indian pair” to drive WRC
Nairobi, 27 March 2025: Hyderabad’s Naveen Pulligilla and co-driver Musa Sherif of Kasargod, created Indian motorsports history, as they became the first “all-Indian team” to participate in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The duo competed in the iconic Safari Rally Kenya 2025 from March 20 to 23 and won the RC3 Kenyan National Rally Championship.
Naveen and Musa, driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 machine for the Africa Eco Motorsport team, were leading the WRC3 class with just two stages to go and were on the verge of a fairytale debut. But their luck failed as they encountered mechanical issues with the lower arm and were forced to pull out. Thankfully, by that stage, they had already clinched the RC3 class Kenyan Rally Championship title, which ran concurrently and concluded after 19 stages.
“Competing in the Safari Rally Kenya was an incredible experience. The terrain isn’t just challenging, it’s a shock for any first-timer, with boulder-strewn routes and unpredictable conditions. Despite that, we managed to maintain pace and stay within three minutes of the top WRC cars. The rally, the breathtaking countryside, and the wildlife made it unforgettable. I’m coming back in 2026,” said Naveen, who is planning to take part in two more WRC rounds in Saudi Arabia and Sardinia. “Competing in Kenya was a test of endurance, skill, and determination. The terrain was brutal, but we pushed through to make history as the first all-Indian team in WRC,” concluded Musa Sherif.
Naveen Pulligilla: A Rising Star in Indian Motorsport
Hailing from Hyderabad, Naveen Pulligilla is an accomplished off-road driver with a growing reputation in the rallying community. His international experience includes participation in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship in New Zealand in 2024. Known for his precise and aggressive driving style, Naveen has been an active competitor in the Indian National Rally Championship, consistently showcasing his skill and determination on challenging terrains.
Musa Sherif: India’s Most Decorated Co-Driver
Musa Sherif, from Kasaragod, Kerala, brings over 33 years of rallying experience to the partnership. As India’s most decorated co-driver, he has participated in more than 332 rallies, including 92 international events, and has secured 10 national championship titles. Musa’s journey in motorsports began in 1993, and since then, he has become a stalwart in the field, known for his meticulous navigation skills and strategic acumen.
The Safari Rally Kenya 2025: A Formidable Challenge
The Safari Rally Kenya is renowned for its demanding terrain, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking landscapes. The Indian duo completed 19 of the featured 21 challenging stages, which are the course par for the Kenyan Rally. The competitive distance was 383.10 km within a total rally distance of 1,381.92 km. Stages such as Camp Moran, Loldia, and Hell’s Gate are particularly noted for their technical complexity and natural beauty. For WRC, the distance was extended by two more Special Stages.
Preparation and Performance
In preparation for this formidable event, Naveen and Musa underwent pre-rally testing in Indonesia with technical assistance from MRU Motorsport, Malaysia. They also conducted additional testing and reconnaissance runs in Kenya to familiarize themselves with the challenging terrain. Their goal was to finish strong and gain valuable experience on the world stage.
Historical Context and Future Aspirations
Earlier, Indian rally drivers like Gaurav Gill and Naren Kumar took part in the World Rally Championship but had co-drivers from abroad, making the Safari Kenyan Rally the first WRC event which saw an all-Indian pair.
The Safari Rally Kenya is renowned for its demanding terrain, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking landscapes. The first Indian duo completed 19 of the 21 challenging stages, which had 383.10 km of competitive sections in a total rally distance of 1,381.92 km.
