The second iteration of the India Baja gets bigger and better this year and is all set to become a part of the global Dakar Challenge series. Northern Motorsports, who organised the inaugural Indian Baja challenge last year, has partnered with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the promoters of the legendary Dakar Rally. This collaboration would help elevate the Indian Baja to international standards and the winner this year will get a free entry to the Merzouga Rally in Morocco and the Dakar Raid.
The India Baja was established in 2016 with the aim of providing local talent with a cross-country rallying platform of an international level. In the inaugural edition, we saw purpose-built two and four wheelers, piloted by experienced drivers from India and overseas, rough it out over a three-day course from dawn to dusk, in the Thar Desert between Jaisalmer and Bikaner. The India Baja event received an overwhelming response in its first year itself and the competition was won by rally-ace C.S. Santosh, the only Indian to complete the Dakar Raid twice.
The event returns this year with its second edition, and the Indian Baja has already received a Dakar Challenge status, serving as one of the feeder races to the Dakar Rally, one the toughest races in the world. The entire race covers a total distance of 430km under gruelling conditions at the same venue as last year, with temperatures soaring up to the high 40s. The Dakar affiliation makes the competition even tougher with gruesome regulations, mandatory safety requirements and strict administrative and financial obligations. The participants will have to follow a demanding regime with specific instructions, regulations and a time schedule laid out by international standards. It will be a test of both mental and physical endurance for every participant. This event focuses on providing a challenging sporting platform to test skills, vehicle preparation, strategy, logistics and endurance levels of the national participants. It also creates opportunities for tourism and economic growth in the local area.
