India Baja 2017 - Gaurav And Karan Win Xtreme Category

The Northern Motorsport-organised India Baja 2017 – Dakar Challenge Series came to an end with Gaurav Chiripal and co-driver Karan Arya emerging winners with their best time of 6:22:22 seconds in the ‘Xtreme’ (four-wheel) category. Joaquim Rodriques with his best time of 4:45:22 seconds won the ‘Moto’ (two-wheel) category. The India Baja leg comprised of six competitive stages comprising of 430 kilometres of timed distance, over two days. The winners of the ‘Xtreme’ category earn a direct qualification to Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm. Indian biker Abdul Wahid Tanveer qualified for the 2018 Dakar Rally, in spite of finishing third in the ‘Moto’ category.  

The ‘Xtreme’ category saw fierce competition between Raj Singh Rathore, driving an Isuzu V-Cross, and Gaurav Chiripal, with their time difference standing at close to a minute at the end of the first four stages. Gaurav Chiripal, who drove a modified Suzuki Vitara, was finally able to extend his lead during the last two stages of the rally, making it his first ever win in the India Baja 2017. Raj Singh Rathore, with a difference of about five minutes, finished second after the former extended his lead in the final stages. The third position went to Himanshu Arora, who drove a Maruti Gypsy. Gaurav Chiripal as a result of his win will gain direct entry into the MS Desert Storm, which is to be held next year.

Moto 

1. Joaquim Rodrigues 04:45:22 seconds

2. Aravind K.P. 05:10:46 seconds

3. Abdul Tanveer 05:25:44 seconds

1. Gaurav Chiripal/Karan Arya - 06:22:22 seconds

2. Raj Singh Rathore/Jeevarathinam J. - 06:27:49 seconds  

3. Himanshu Arora/Chira Thakur 07:07:17 seconds

The India Baja was created by Northern Motorsports with the aim of giving Indian riders a chance to compete at the international level. The race was conceived on the lines of the Baja races, which are extremely popular in Europe. The Baja format involves racing from dawn to dusk. The tight schedule of stages and long competitive distances make it an extremely challenging format.