Pune: Sanjay Takale is taking a welcome escapade from the grueling international rallies as the Pune rally driver and his longtime navigator Mohammed Mustafa pair up again to defend their Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge title, which they won in Goa last year.

The 8th Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge 2018 TSD (Time Speed Distance) Rally was flagged off at Bharath Mall in Mangalore with 35 rallyists taking part in the two-day event, which will end on Sunday at Regenta Resort, Varca Beach in Goa.

Takale, who will be driving Mahindra XUV in the Open class, last year came close to breaking his own National record of 4 seconds after a dominating drive through from Mangalore to Murdeshwar and to Panaji.
“Mangalore is currently experiencing heavy rains and we expect to get more along the coast, but we are ready for the challenge,” said Takale.
“Mangalore has never been windy except maybe when it rains, but this is a title that I added to my trophy cabinet last year after so many tries so it becomes imperative for me to defend,” said Takale of his decision to participate in his busy international schedule.

Both Takale and Mustafa have good understanding after having driven many rallies together across different terrains.

The two had finished runners-up in 2012 when they took part for the first in Monsoon Challenge and were fifth in 2016 before finally nailing the title last year.