Off road racing is a very underrated, yet really loved sports category. When the players of cricket and badminton are gaining high earnings and awards for their achievements in their respective fields, off-road racers are hardly even known by the outside world.
CS Santhosh is a biker who has completed the Dakar rally, it is considered the hardest off-roading event in the competitive world of motorsports, three times. Yet, his name is barely known to the people, even when he is having sponsors, his earnings are real minimum when compared to PV Sindhu or any Indian Cricketer.
The story of off-road racing, a sport filled completely with nothing but quest for glory and passion. PV Sindhu and CS Santhosh started almost at the same time and made it up to the roles of their models. While Sindhu became the hero of the country, Santhosh still continues being a lone wolf like he always was. Off-roading is always looked down for the accidents and danger in them.
Injuries are common, Neeraj Samanth, 33, says “I competed in my first race in 2010, it was not as easy as I expected. I did complete the race but met with an accident towards the end and suffered a ligament tear, well it was a big learning experience”.
Off-roading is an expensive sport, you need different equipment’s, good preparation and training. Many in Bangalore train in two-available off-road tracks near the city, other practise spots are the farmlands and such areas in the country side. Sanjay, who started racing at 33, says “We have the talent to compete in Dakar rally, but the expense is too high, good preparation and equipment’s need sponsorship which only comes by showcasing trophies”.
There are many different opportunities like Dakshin dare, desert storm and ride de Himalaya, the local events where start offs can compete and win trophies. Talented can go to the national level after some experience from these events.
In the past times, bikers were satisfied with their wins in the local events and with their hero title in the locality. But now, things have changed and youngster bikers see the local events as mere stepping stones to the Dakar rally.
It is just a small matter of time that Dakar rally feels the skills of Indian Bikers.
Yadu Krishna
