Pune: Nikita Takale-Khadsare, representing India, clinched the championship title at the Malaysia Championship Car Rally held in Malacca. This victory marks a historic achievement as she became the first young woman to win the championship during her international debut.
The two-day rally, organized by M.I.R.C. Rally of Asia, featured 22 participants from countries including India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China. Despite encountering significant challenges, such as language barriers, technical issues, and unfamiliar regulations, Nikita excelled.
In the rally's first stage, her car encountered an electrical failure just one kilometer into the race. After quick repairs, she rejoined the competition and completed the rally, making up for the lost time and earning critical points in subsequent stages.
With her co-driver, Musa Sherif, an experienced rally veteran with over 365 rally participations, Nikita navigated through challenging terrains, including palm plantations, and secured India’s victory. Musa’s expertise and guidance played a vital role in overcoming the obstacles during the rally.
Reflecting on her win, Nikita said, “The rainy conditions and high humidity made the rally extremely demanding, and many participants suffered from heatstroke. Despite being a newcomer at the international level, I am thrilled to have achieved success in my debut.”
Nikita expressed gratitude to her parents, entrepreneur Nitin Takale and Rajashree Takale, for their unwavering support. She also revealed her future ambition to win the prestigious international WRC Rally.
The Malaysia Championship Rally is recognized as one of the most challenging in the world, and a win here signifies global rallying capabilities. This victory is a significant milestone for Nikita as she looks forward to continuing her journey on the international stage.
