C S Santosh becomes the first Indian to participate in the Dakar Rally

Red Bull today announced that C S Santosh, India’s finest racing champ, will be the first Indian to participate in the prestigious Dakar Rally, during a press meet in Mumbai. As he gears up for a new league of challenges, Santosh today spoke about his journey of becoming India’s finest and most accomplished rider. Santosh said, “I’m thrilled to be the first Indian to be at Dakar. From my crash at Abu Dhabi last year, which left me with third degree burns, to standing here right now, it’s been an amazing journey. Last two years have been rigorous training for me with my team at Kini Red Bull and with their support moving forward, things look exciting… the real journey starts from here.”

From motocross and super-cross to dirt tracks and rallies, Santosh has proved time and again why he deserves the title of India’s best rider. Santosh is the only rider to have won the 14th Raid De Himalaya Trophy in the first attempt. A four-time Supercross Champion in the national circuit, Santosh has also won a number of races in the Sri Lankan and Asian Championship. Also present at the press meet was renowned South African motocross champion and Red Bull athlete, Anthony Raynard.

The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid organized by Amaury Sport Organisation. For 2015, the Dakar organisers ASO want to take the world’s toughest race back to its origins by opening up the exhausting marathon stages to all classes. The start and finish line will be back in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital city, which first hosted the rally in 2009. But not everything will be a nod to the past. Rest day will be in Iquique but on different days for different classes: cars and trucks will rest on January 10th, while bikes and quads on the 12th - that means more Dakar action. The Dakar 2015 makes excursions into Bolivia and Chile on a looping 9000 km route to Termas de Río Hondo and back to Buenos Aires.