Pune: Sanjay Takale was duly honoured on Friday at the 11th Autotrack Motorsports Awards for his exemplary international participation in 2018 when he became the first registered driver from India to compete in the World Rally Championship and also in rounds of the Baltic Rally in Latvia and Estonia.
“I am honoured to be recognised by Autotrack, which keeps due track of all the motorsports action in India and abroad wherein Indians take part,” is how Takale expressed his thoughts.
As many as 70 Indian drivers and riders who achieved glory on the international and domestic events were present on the occasion at the annual award ceremony at Hotel Magrath near Garuda Mall in Bengaluru.
All the championship winners from different categories were felicitated that saw top officials of JK Tyre and Honda gracing the ceremony.
Takale, who finished 14th in the WRC Finland Round in WRC2 category at Jyvaskyla that offers undulating fast gravel course, received his award from Hemamalini, Director of Champions Yacht Club, the promoters of INRC for 2019-2021 period.
“It was honour to be felicitated at the 11th Autotrack motorsports awards where I got to meet all the other champion drivers and riders from the motorsports fraternity. I hope to continue in the same vein this year too,” said Takale.
2018 at a glance
Sanjay Takale achieved a milestone in 2018 when he became the first registered driver from India to finish a round of the FIA World Rally Championship at the iconic Neste Rally Finland.
Takale was classified 14th in the WRC 3 category and 47th overall in the gruelling Rally Finland.
The Pune-based Takale had British co-driver Darren Garrod by his side over a total distance of 317.26-km in the rally rated among the fastest in the WRC calendar, to bring home their Baltic Motorsports Promotion-prepared 2-Wheel drive Ford Fiesta R2 in 14th position.
Earlier in took part in Rally Latvia and Rally Estonia with commendable performance as he continued to be among only handful of Indians competing at the international stage.
In between he also participated in four rounds of Thailand Rally Championship helping his navigator Thanyaphat Meenil win the co-driver’s title.