– With temperatures soaring as high as 50 degree Celsius, the India Baja 2018 competitors
will drive 650 km plus over the burning sand dunes of the Thar desert.
– India Baja 2018 is a ‘Dakar Challenge rally’, hence the winner will get twin benefits, a free
entry to the famed Dakar Rally of 2020 & the Afriquia Merzouga Rally of 2019.
Noida, July 6 th 2018: India Baja 2018, the Indian edition of the greatest challenge of all extreme
motorsport competitions in the world, is back for another smashing season to be held from 17 th
August to 19 th August in the dunes of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. In its third consecutive run, the race
will comprise of over 650 km of grueling rallying, covering some of the toughest off-road
terrains in India.
The distinguishing factor about the India Baja 2018 comes from the fact that the top Indian
contender at the event will get a direct gratis entry to the pinnacle of all off-road races in the
world – the Dakar Rally of 2020! The India Baja 2018 winner will also be entitled to a
complimentary entry to the Afriquia Merzouga Rally 2019. The total monetary advantages to
the winner of the competition amount to €20,000, which covers the registration fee for one
motorcycle in both the events.
Mr. Jayesh Desai (Co-founder and Director of Northern Motorsport) said, “The stature of India
Baja in country’s motorsport scenario can be gauged from the fact that the number of people
signing up continues to grow each year. These are very encouraging trends and I would thank
the Indian motorsport fraternity for the love & acceptance they’ve shown towards this cross
country rally. We pledge to bring an even more challenging and better experience this year
around.”
He further added, “Northern Motorsport is grateful to ASO, the organising body of the Dakar
rally, in entrusting our organisation with the Dakar Challenge brand in India. We are also
humbled by the exceptional hospitality that we receive in Rajasthan, it compels us to return to
the state year after year.”
Established in 2016, the India Baja is India’s answer to the popular Baja format rallies held
across the world. The first edition of India Baja saw massive participation of off-road rally
enthusiasts from all across the country. The overwhelming success of the inaugural event
inspired the organisers to associate with off-road racing’s biggest name, ‘the Dakar’, making it
one of the most exciting developments in the recent history of Indian motorsport.
Subsequently, the winner of 2017 event, Abdul Wahid Tanveer, got a direct entry in the Afriquia
Merzouga Rally of 2018 and also in the 41 st edition of the Dakar Rally to be held in 2019.
India Baja 2018 is being organised by Northern Motorsport, the NCR-based premier
motorsports club of India, in association with Isuzu Motors and Rajasthan Tourism. Northern

Motorsport is credited to organise several other prominent off-road motorsport events like the
Rally Desert Storm and the National Autocross championship, amongst others.
For participation or event related enquiries, log on to IndiaBaja.com or mail your query at
arvind@motorsport.in