Northern Motorsports joins hands with Amaury Sport

Northern Motorsport, one of the pioneers of curating some of the most iconic motorsports events in the country like the Desert Storm rally has joined hands with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the promoters of the legendary Dakar Rally, to elevate cross-country rallying to international stature.

This year, India Baja, which was founded last year by Northern Motorsport, has been granted the status of Dakar Challenge by the France-based sports management organisation that also organises the Tour De France-the most followed cycling race in the world. The Dakar Challenge along with the Dakar Series serve as feeder races to the Dakar Rally, which is rated as the toughest race on the planet.

Commenting on the tie-up, Raj Kapoor, Founder - Northern Motorsport said, "It is a matter of great pride and honour for Northern Motorsport to be associated with ASO, a pioneer in organising premium global sporting events including the Dakar rally, the numero uno in cross-country rallying in the world. We look forward to leveraging their experience and expertise to take motorsports to new heights in the country. Our dream of firmly establishing India firmly on the global motorsport map takes a huge step forward with this association."

Xavier Gavory, head of Competitors Relation at ASO said, "We at ASO look forward to work in India with Northern Motorsport, who have been doing a great job over the years to promote motorsports in India. Talents like C.S. Santosh and Aravind K.P. have proved that motorsport talent in India is second to none. With this association we hope to unearth many such talents and provide them a platform to compete with the best in the world. India is naturally endowed to be a global hub for cross-country rallying and we expect exciting times ahead for the sport with this association."

The 2017 edition of India Baja, which is scheduled to be held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, between April 7 to April 9 will be the first event to be run under this association.

Over 70 competitors, including top riders from Hero Motosports Team Rally and TVS Racing have confirmed their participation. India Baja has been inscribed in the FIM calendar, which is the global body for governing all form of two-wheeler sports.