Pune-based Ashish Raorane All Set To Compete In 2019 Baja Aragon

Ashish Raorane is all set to compete in the 2019 Baja Aragon in Spain. First held 36 years ago, Baja Aragon gives riders a good blend of the Dakar Rally and Baja California experience in sunny Spain. Pune-based marine engineer-turned rally rider Raorane made his debut back in 2015 at the Indian National Rally Championship. Later in 2018, he joined the international rally scene by competing at the Panafrica Rally as a privateer. In fact, Raorane is currently India’s only privateer rally raid motorcycle racer on the international stage.

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Competing in the Aragon Rally will help Raorane gain crucial experience that’s necessary to compete in the most daunting rally yet - the 2020 Dakar Rally. At the Aragon Rally, Raorane will be competing against fellow Indian riders Aishwarya Pissay and Aravind K P backed by Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team and also C S Santosh from Hero MotoSport Rally Team. Here’s the official statement regarding Raorane’s endeavours:

Press Release:

Ashish Raorane set for FIM Baja Rally World Championship in Aragon

Pune, 18 July 2019: Following up on the experience gained at the first two rounds of the FIM Baja Rally World Championship series in Dubai and Portugal, Ashish Raorane -- India’s only privateer international Rally Raid racer -- is set to take on the Baja Aragon in Spain. Based on the race schedule for 2019 and going into 2020, Ashish aims to be the first Indian to complete the Baja Championship series.

Taking its inspiration from the legendary Paris-Dakar, the Baja Aragon took root in the early eighties, finding an ideal route through a semi-deserted area called Monegros. The place offers amazing landscapes, and serves as an ideal base for competition and with perfect terrain for a 1000 km non-stop race. Challenges include high temperatures and dense dust; part of the charm that has made this a “classic” on the Championship circuit and an anticipated race on the calendar. Baja Aragon has seen several organisers since the first race in 1983, but endures to date. It celebrated it’s 35th anniversary in 2018.

“Baja Aragon always sees a great lineup with tough competition, and I look forward to gaining some more valuable race experience,” said Raorane. He is currently ranked 14th in the world championship, and intends to continue his Baja campaign on to Hungary, followed by the Africa Eco rally in 2020. Every competition brings new learnings and experience, all of which help prep Ashish for his assault on the Dakar 2021 as a privateer. When he’s not traveling for work or competition, Ashish resides in Pune.

Ashish Raorane’s campaign is currently supported by international brands including Luminox, Klim, Leatt and EBC brakes as well as home-grown motorsport patrons including Big Bad Bikes, Lazy Ass Bikers’ Store, Motousher and Slipstream Performance.