India BAJA Rally -Sanjay Razdan

Off-road racing’s biggest name, Dakar, was brought into India in 2017 through its “Dakar Challenge” label. In one of the most exciting new developments in motor sports in India, the India Baja rally-raid in its 2017 edition is now one of the Dakar Challenge events.

In its very second year of running, the India BAJA Rally brought off- road racing’s biggest name, the Dakar, to India, by giving an opportunity, to an Indian competitor, to participate in the 2017 Merzouga Rally and in the 40th edition of the Dakar 2018. (Presently only for Motorcycle Riders)

The value of this prize represents a significant €20,000, the registration fees for one motorcycle in these events.

This year India BAJA Rally was organised with over 450 kms of competitive stages over the sand dunes and sand tracks around Jaisalmer from 07th to 09th April.

07th April : Vehicle and paper scrutiny

08th April : Leg 1 with competitive stages of about 300

kms broken into 4 stages

09th April : Leg 2 with competitive stages of about 150

kms broken into 2 stages

The stages were fast and flowing but very technical and one needed to drive over sand tracks and over huge sand dunes.

It was a real test of man and machine with less than 50% vehicles actually completing the 2 day rally.

Rally was open to only 4×4 specially prepared rally vehicles and motorcycles.

Sanjay Razdan won the rally in “Upto 1350 CC Modified Vehicles” class and was 2nd Runner up in “All kinds of Modified Vehicles”

Sanjay Razdan – A short profile

Born on 19th April to Mrs. Vijay and Mr. Mohan Razdan in Srinagar, Sanjay spent most of his childhood and youth in Srinagar.He completed his graduation in Economics & Mathematics from the Kashmir University and later did Post Graduation in Tourism Studies from the University of Delhi.

He had the passion for Car Racing since his childhood and participated in Nun-Kun car rally championships in Jammu and secured 1st place (In 1990 and 1991). Later had to give up the sport due to domestic pressures but re-started this passion in the year 2012 and has since participated and competed in the following motorsport activities :

Achievements

2014 : Desert Storm – 1st in Category (T2 – Above 1350 CC)

2015 : Royal Rajasthan Rally-2nd in Category (T2-Upto 1350 CC)

and 5th Overall

2015 : Desert Storm Rally – 2nd in Category (T2 – Upto 1350 CC)

2015 : SJOBA Sub Himalayan Rally – 2nd in Car Category

2015 : Raid De Himalaya Rally -3rd in Category (T2-Upto 1350 CC)

2015 : Ultimate Desert Challenge – Fastest Driver, 1st Overall in all