India, Jan. 28 -- Though he returned home last week, Sanjay Takale is yet to completely recover. "I am totally shaken and broken," laughs the 57-year-old. That's what the Dakar does to you.

The Dakar is the world's longest, most dangerous yet celebrated rally where riders and drivers traverse approximately 8,000km negotiating loose rocks, slush, deep sand and holes in the dune at around 150kph. One lapse can be fatal with the rally raid having already claimed around 80 lives since its inception in 1979.

Only a handful of Indians have taken part in the off-road endurance race with Takale becoming the first in 2025 to not just compete but also complete the rally on four wheels. Driving a Toyota Land Cruiser and having experienced Frenchma...