INDIA in F1

Tag: Rally Raid

  • Stunning stage win for Harith Noah at TransAnatolia Rally

    Stunning stage win for Harith Noah at TransAnatolia Rally

    Mersin (Turkey), 3 Sept. 2024: Ace Dakar rider, Harith Noah of Sherco TVS Factory Team, dished out high-class performance to become the first rider representing India to win a stage overall on Monday in the gruelling 2500-km TransAnatolia Rally that is being run across Turkey from Mersin to Van.

    The Kerala rider, who won the B1 Class at the TransAnatolia Rally last September, before going on to win the Dakar 2024 in Rally 2, began the 2024 edition of this rally on a sombre note, but bounced back to win Stage 2 after a challenging 177.36 km on Monday. He topped the field of 65 riders taking part in the 14th edition being held from August 31 to September 7.

    “The bike is perfect as we have done a lot of improvements and we also have a new suspension. It is really good and I am starting to feel better every day,” Harith Noah told INDIAinF1 from Turkey.

    Noah, started well in Stage 1 and was running second overall before he crashed and the bike went off a cliff and he lost three precious hours as his bike could not be retrieved. He managed to finish the stage. However, his resilience stood out as he navigated the tricky terrain with aplomb, astride his Sherco 450 RTR, showcasing his high driving skills and led a star field to come out triumphant on Stage 2 ahead of his teammate Lorenzo Santolino. He clocked 3 hours, 02minutes and 19 seconds to complete the tough 177.36-km stage.

    TransAnatolia has become one of the leading rally raid events and the Stages here offer high standards that help riders get into the rhythm for bigger events like Dakar as a preparation. A satellite tracking system is in service, for monitoring the racing process and for safety.

  • Despite a fall on Day 4 and an injured wrist, Harith Noah completes BP Rally

    Despite a fall on Day 4 and an injured wrist, Harith Noah completes BP Rally

    Portugal, 7 April 2024: From April 2 to 7, 2024, the riders of Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team completed in their first post-Dakar race, the BP Ultimate Rally Raid in Portugal.

    Lorenzo Santolino started the event well and placed 2nd in the first stage. The following days, he once again demonstrated his ability to fight with the fastest riders in the World Rally Raid Championship, but was stopped in his progress by a big fall at 130 km/h on the last day. , because of a root hidden under the sand. He comes out of it with just some aches and pain, no broken bones.

    Our rider from India, Harith Noah, the winner of the Dakar Rally 2 category, was penalized because of some racing incidents, small riding and navigation errors, but he is satisfied with his performance.

    Harith Noah :

    “This rally was a good experience to return to competition after the Dakar. The conditions were difficult and different, there was a lot of humidity, and it was cold. A racing incident during the second stage penalized me and caused me to lose time. I left motivated on the 3rd day and I gave everything, but a fall on the 4th day caused me to have pain in my wrist and on the last day, I just rode to finish the race, without taking any risks since I  was now too far behind in the provisional ranking. I learned a lot from this event and gained new experiences. We learn from each experience. The bike performed very well. Now I will focus on training and be ready for the next race.”

  • Merzouga Rally cancelled due to Corona epidemic

    Merzouga Rally cancelled due to Corona epidemic

    Morocco, 18 March 2020: Following the decision by the Moroccan authorities to suspend all events until further notice in order to combat the propagation of the Coronavirus (COVID19) epidemic, the organisers of the Merzouga Rally are regretfully obliged to cancel the next edition of the rally, which was scheduled to take place from 25 to 29 May 2020, as its organisation could no longer be guaranteed.

    Although we are still several weeks away from the event dates, the great investments made by the competitors in their preparation will be partly lost if the situation does not improve and we do not want our participants to run this risk.

    Bearing in mind the numerous events postponed until September and October, added to existing events on the Moroccan sports calendar, the Merzouga Rally cannot be postponed, unfortunately.

    “For those competitors who wish to validate their participation in the next Dakar Rally, we will reflect on an alternative solution. Details will be notified shortly.,” the organisers said.

    File photo of Merzouga Rally action. Courtesy Merzouga Rally

    For those competitors who wish to validate their participation in the next Dakar Rally, we will reflect on an alternative solution. Details will be notified shortly.

    In the meantime, we invite all rally-raid enthusiasts to get ready for a new edition of the Merzouga Rally from 14 to 18 May 2021.