TVS Racing announced their team for Indian Baja 2017 – part of Dakar Challenge for 2018. The team’s star rider Aravind KP is back to racing post his Dakar participation and along with him is his Dakar teammate Adrien Metge from Sherco. Accompanying them will be R Nataraj, the winner of Desert Storm 2017 and Abdul Wahid Tanveer, last year’s National Rally champion rider. The two day rally kicks off on April 8, 2017 from Jaisalmer.
The TVS Racing team will be riding on RTR 450 motorcycles specifically tuned to meet the rally route requirements. The 450cc power plant produces around 60 hp. Major focus will be given to achieve ultra-light weight and minimize friction. The team has developed an engine with improved torque on the entire rpm range. Modified port cross section, redesigned cam shaft, increased compression ratio and re-tuned ECM have helped to give better performance. Front and rear suspension has been tuned for the riders in addition to thicker spokes in front and rear wheel assembly.
According to TVS Racing, Indian Baja Rally, which is now in its second season, is all set to bring off-road racing’s biggest name to the country as the rally-raid has recently been nominated as the one of the Dakar Challenge event. With this rally, the winner of the rally raid will get a free opportunity to participate in the 2017 Merzouga Rally followed by the 40th edition of the Dakar in 2018.
Talking of the team, B Selvaraj, Head, TVS Racing said “We are thrilled to see our star rider Aravind KP back in the game along with Tanveer and Nataraj who are in top form. The addition of Adrien Metge from Sherco is a big boost to the team as he brings considerable experience to the table and our young racers will be inspired by his presence. Look forward to the challenge. We are happy that the event organizers have taken the rally raid to the next level so that it is now considered to be a part of the Dakar challenge. We expect the route and terrain to be challenging as per international standards and we look forward to the challenge.”