Hero MotoSports Celebrates Decade of Global Rally Racing Excellence and Future Talent
Hero MotoCorp commemorates a decade of international rally racing excellence with its Hero MotoSports Team Rally. The company announced a renewed partnership with ASO and launched the 'India’s Next Dakar Hero' program to nurture future Indian talent in global rally-raid competitions.
Highlights
- •Hero MotoCorp celebrated 10 years of Hero MotoSports Team Rally at its Jaipur-based CIT facility.
- •The company renewed its global partnership with ASO for five years to support international rally-raid events.
- •The new 'India’s Next Dakar Hero' (INDH) program aims to identify and nurture young Indian off-road racing talent.
- •18-year-old racing prodigy Shlok Ghorpade has officially joined the team to prepare for future international competitions.
Hero MotoCorp recently marked a significant milestone by celebrating the 10th anniversary of its elite rally division, the Hero MotoSports Team Rally. Hosted at the company’s state-of-the-art Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, the event highlighted a decade of dedicated efforts to establish India as a formidable force in global rally-raid racing.
The celebration drew prominent racing figures, including the 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion, Ross Branch. Joining him were notable riders such as Nacho Cornejo, Michael Docherty, and Shlok Ghorpade, alongside pioneering Indian woman biker Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary. These attendees were joined by Wolfgang (Waffi) Fischer, the team manager, and Jordi Grau, the Head of National MotoSports, to reflect on the team's evolution since its inception in 2016.
Strategic Initiatives for Future Rally Success
As the team steps into its second decade, Hero MotoCorp has unveiled three key strategic initiatives. The company has officially renewed its partnership with the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the organizers behind the prestigious Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, for an additional five years. This extended collaboration underlines a long-term commitment to advancing rally racing on an international scale.
Furthermore, Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, launched a groundbreaking program titled ‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ (INDH). This initiative is designed to identify and cultivate budding off-road racing talent across India. The program will offer a structured training pathway spanning two to three years, covering essential skills such as advanced navigation, riding techniques, and physical endurance conditioning necessary for top-tier international competition.
The team also formally announced the induction of 18-year-old rising star Shlok Ghorpade. Hailing from Satara, Maharashtra, Shlok Ghorpade has demonstrated exceptional promise in the National India Supercross circuit. He has already commenced intensive training alongside seasoned riders, including Ross Branch, preparing for future challenges like the Dakar Rally.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Since its founding, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has been instrumental in testing cutting-edge technology on the world's most grueling terrains. Over the last ten years, the team has achieved multiple podium finishes and landmark victories, successfully placing India on the global rally racing map. These new strategic steps are aimed at ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent and maintaining the competitive edge that the team has built over the last decade. By focusing on both institutional partnerships and the development of homegrown Indian riders, the organization aims to continue its trajectory of excellence in the international rally-raid arena.
