Mahindra’s Dakar challenger?

The company has shown interest in rally-raid competitions, and has gone so far as to make serious inquiries.

There has been word of Mahindra looking at an attempt at the Dakar Rally for some time and the head of Mahindra Adventure – the division in charge of the company’s rally operations – has stated that there are no concrete plans for an attempt at the world famous rally-raid as yet.
However, autoX has learned that Mahindra has gone as far as to contact former Dakar Rally winner (as well as world sportscar racing champion) Jean-Louis Schlesser, who is now in the business of organising the Africa Eco Race, which is held on the traditional route of the Dakar in North Africa as well as designing rally-raid prototypes.

We also obtained a rendering of what the vehicle – modeled on a XUV 500 - may look like from a collaborator of Schlesser, who had shared it on Twitter with Mahindra Group chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra.

A well placed source has also told us that the Mahindra boss has a personal interest in wanting his company competing in at least the Eco Race if not the Dakar itself with an Indian driver behind the wheel of one out of possibly three cars. The logic behind a three car team being to rope in an experienced and successful rally-raid driver and one with well-heeled sponsors to compliment the homegrown driver.

Competing with an Indian would be in keeping with Mahindra’s previous participation in motorsport competition although the less said about the falling out between them and Sarath Kumar in motorcycle racing, the better.

Choosing to sponsor French motorcycle company Sherco and not have an Indian rider as part of its Dakar fact finding mission was a move that threw up a few problems for TVS. While they were questioned and even chided for overlooking C S Santosh, with whom they had been associated for many years, the Bangalore native became the first Indian to take part in and finish the gruelling 9,000 km event.

To say that it was a big deal would be an understatement. Santosh’s achievement made him known enough to be featured in major media outlets and even ring the opening bell on the trading floor of the Bombay Stock Exchange.

In the context of a car manufacturer like Mahindra, this would also be a logical next step for their brand, which has been expanding its footprint in the global market. The XUV 500 is the current undisputed champion in Indian rallying. The Dakar vehicle would be a prototype, but made to resemble the XUV, garnering a great deal of global exposure.

There is however, the matter of cost to consider should Mahindra actually attempt this venture. Their participation in Formula E – which has a budget cap enforced on it – costs around Rs. 35 crore. Would they be willing to spend around double that figure on a rally-raid campaign in addition to Formula E or instead of it? Time will tell if this becomes a reality but its good to know the Dakar is very much on Mahindra’s radar.