Yanbu, Jan. 10 -- Sanjay Takale's 2026 Dakar Rally may have ended prematurely, but not before the Pune-based seasoned campaigner rewrote Indian motorsport history, according to a release.

Competing in the Classic Auto H3 subclass, Takale became the first Indian to win stages in the car category, a landmark achievement that stands tall despite a cruel mechanical failure denying him a finish at Dakar 2026, which had a rest day on Saturday.

Driving the Toyota HDJ 100 (Car No. 722) alongside French co-driver Maxime Raud, with support from Compagnie Saharienne, the 57-year-old started in stunning fashion. He topped the 22-km prologue on January 3 in the Classic Cars H3 (87-96) category and finished 35th overall in cars after the combined 96-...