“As a kid, while growing up, I remember being fascinated by adventure, and that fascination continues to this day. Whether it’s on my motorcycle or in my everyday life, I’m always trying to address my fears and step outside my comfort zone.”
Those are the words of India’s most accomplished offroad racer, CS Santosh. He’s won everything in his homeland in multiple disciplines across Supercross, Motocross, Dirt Track and Rally Raid. He’s also the first rider from India to finish in the top five of the Asian MX championship (2010), and the top 10 of the WCCRC (2014).
Offroad racing is still a niche sport in India, so Santosh is currently looking to expand his abilities into more disciplines of motorsports around the world. Right now he’s determined to make inroads into some of the globe’s top rallying events. And he’s managed to overcome a series of unfortunate injuries to become the first Indian to compete and finish the Dakar Rally (2015).
Santosh had to retire from the 2016 edition of the Dakar due to technical difficulties, but he learned from the experience and went on to win some big rally events in his homeland. His victories at the Indian Baja and Desert Storm helped earn him a place on the newly formed Hero MotoSports Team Rally outfit alongside Portuguese rider Joaquim Rodrigues.
In 2018, he became the only Indian to finish the Dakar Rally thrice. He had his best-ever finish at the Dakar, coming in 34th position in the bike category of the world’s toughest rally raid.
Source: Red Bull, Santosh’s sponsor
