Pune: Khmer Rally Raid wouldn’t have been an idea at the start of the year to end the season, but Pune rally driver Sanjay Takale is ready to take a different route to close his 2017 season as he reached the Cambodian border after over 300-km drive from Bangkok for the start of almost 800-km long cross-country raid to reach the rally start point in the Cambodian east coast region known as Mondulkiri.
The three-day Khmer Rally Raid will be flagged off on Friday at Mondulkiri bordering Vietnam in the east.
“The terrain here is very difficult. All natural hurdles in this region and the course is through the roads that Khmer kings used during the great wars,” said Takale after he completed documentation on Thursday before leaving for the long drive to reach Mondulkiri for the December 8-10 Khmer rally.
The inaugural Khmer Rally Raid is an initiative of Kampuchea Autosport Racing Agency (KARA), who intends to promote ecotourism and boost adventure on both four-wheelers and motorcycles.
“I decided to take part in Khmer Rally Raid because I wanted to get more hours behind the wheels of 4x4 vehicle as that is the target for 2018 when I would like to concentrate only on 4-wheel cars and achieve the goal of taking part in a few World Rally Championship rounds,” said Takale.
The three-day raid through the mountainous province of Mondulkiri has been sanctioned by the Cambodian Motor Sport Federation and is supported by the Mondulkiri Administration.
“The hilly region of Mondulkiri offers a challenging terrain with the two Special Stage events also tackling muddy roads, river crossings and rural outback,” explained Takale.
Different team but on Isuzu
Takale, who had difficult times in the Round 4 of Thailand Rally Championship driving Isuzu DMax utility vehicle as his drive shaft broke in Pak Chong, has shifted to a different team, but will be driving better-prepared Isuzu DMax vehicles.
“I will be driving for Delo and hope the vehicle to withstand the difficult terrain and help me finish the raid,” said Takale before he began his 700-km day-long drive towards the Vietnam border.
“I am very much excited to be here in the region where Khmers ruled for centuries, fought wars and commanded influence over the region for centuries,” said Takale.
Team Delo has entered three Utility vehicles, all Isuzu DMax’s, but only two might take the flag-off--Takale being one and Akwan the second. The Pune rally driver will have Thai navuigator, Thanyaphat Meemi, who co-drove for Takale in the Round 4 of Thailand Rally Championship last month.
“Meemi is a good navigator, last time around I guess our luck was not with us. I hope this time the vehicles are well made for the long rally raid,” said Takale.
“My main aim will be to finish the rally in one peice. There is no gaurantee about the vehicles, but I am keeping my fingers crossed,” Takale reflected on the breakdowns he suffered.
Difficulty quotient
“Though I am yet to get to the rally course, I am told the course is really tough with big potholes and river beds which sometimes can break the vehicle if one is not careful enough,” Takale pointed out.
“I want to end my 2017 season with this rally, which means I will skip the final round of Malaysian Rally Championship even though my Proton car was readied by MRU Motorsports,” reasoned Takale, who otherwise would have been out for at least 18 days if he were to take part in the Rally of Malaca in Malaysia.
Factbox: Khmer cross-country
- The rally will be run in four divisions with several professional riders from Thailand, India, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United States and United Kingdom.
- As many as 11 rallyists from Thailand and one from India will compete in the 6-car Auto International while nine drivers and co-drivers will line up for the Auto National.
- After the opening day scrutineering there will be a soft opening ceremony at Kou Prey. On December 9, the first Special Stage of 38-km will wind through Sen Monorom. The second and final SS2 of 47-km will be completed the following day.
