Motorsport is considered a niche in a country like India. In a nation where cricket is a dominant sport, it’s not just money that makes you successful in the world of racing – to have this innate skill and will to achieve the target line at all costs is what makes a real champion. In this case, Rally Raid Raid Harith Noah is definitely suitable for the account.
Say that 32-year-old is the legend of Indian motoring would be an underestimation. Noah, who came from the town of Shoranur in the Palakkad district in Kerala, already in sport carved a long -term heritage with his perfect riding capabilities and mere determination to succeed. What began in 2009, when he was only 16 years old, quickly carried fruit when Noah continued to win five national supercross titles. But he soon found his real profession on the world famous Rally Dakar.
In 2018 he focused on the assembly of cross -country countries and in 2020 debuted in Dakar. The following year, Noah became the third Indian athlete-Po CS Santosh and Aravind KP-Aby completed an exhaustive event. In 2021 he also became the first Indian to ensure the completion of the TOP-20. By 2024, Rally Raid Racer broke several of his records and became the first Indian champion at the Dakar Rally in the Rally 2 class and won two phases on his way to the crown.
Completed 11th place in the category of bikes and just missed the TOP-10 completed only six minutes. As a result, he became the fastest Indian in the history of the Rally Dakar.
However, the release of the Dakar Rally 2025 was not planned. In his sixth appearance at the iconic event, she left Noah Noah with a broken wrist and forced him to retreat.
Despite failure, Noah was quickly reflected and focused on a big return to Dakar next year. India today caught up with the Rally Rally biker when he continued training at the Performance Center Red Bull Athlete Performance Center in Santa Monica, California, where he told his remarkable journey from the unpeeled Shoranur fields to the desert in Dakar.
Beginning
Noah’s love for wheels began in 2009 when he received his first motorcycle as a gift – and immediately raced him in unpeeled fields near his home. His first race ended in ending the last time, but it caused a lifelong passion.
“It started in 2009 if I wasn’t mistaken. I just got a motorcycle on my birthday or Christmas. The road took place as in unpeeled fields. They asked me if I wanted to participate, and I said yes, but I didn’t know how to ride. Harrith in Action (with permission: TVS Sherco)
Noah also made sense to separate his passion for races from ruthless driving on the road.
“I’ve never rode a bike on the road. The first round I had, I turned it into a racing bike. I usually use my mother’s scooter. Even now I eat on the road. I think I have RR from TVs, which is nice.
For most Indian parents, Motorsport is often considered a dangerous way. But in Harith’s case it was his father, Mr. Mohammed Rafi, who supported interest. The former Assembly Navigator, Mr. Rafi, played a key role in Harith’s early days – he worked as the head of the crew, mentor and companion on the road.
“He was there a lot from the beginning. Especially at the beginning he was present than right now. He taught me a lot of things. Not that he was a racer but took part in the assembly when he was younger as a navigator. There were two boys on the motorcycle.”
“He had several contacts with some people who raced around my house. He was always there all the time I was doing supercross.”
“We did everything ourselves. We had a scorpion, dismantled the bike, put it in the car and traveled to the National Supercross.
“I really didn’t think about retirement or inheritance I want to leave. I don’t see the end right now – I want to keep doing the best and maybe getting bigger than I had. No one thought I would win the rally 2 before 2024 – but that happened. It took 13 days of racing.
A 32 -year -old man remembered one specific moment when his father made him realize his passion for races and helped him set his career.
“It’s the moment we were at the Chandigarh race. I forgot my knee orthosis and finally bought some of the local shop and the first race didn’t go so well.”
“Then my dad and I discussed. He asked,” Do you really want? You have to push if you want to do it, “and so on. That was like a turning point. Then I won the second race. I started to win and take over the title of the championship, which was not originally a plan. Then we joined TV, ”Noah said.
Love for dakar
Noeh’s does not mean its affection for the Dakar rally, but keeps it relatively simple and straightforward. He recognizes his chaos and unpredictability, which is exactly what attracts him to him.
“It’s a lot of different challenges. That’s why it’s so strange. It’s not easy. He exaggerated at that time,” Noah said.
His background in sports science helped him emotionally recover from the disappointment of 2025 in Dakar.
“It’s hard to go mentally to Dakar and leave before it starts because of injury. It’s not a nice feeling. But I try to be present. I can’t change it as soon as it happened. I always focus on what’s best, not the results. Harrith in Action (Credit: TVS Sherco)
The aim of the fastest Indian in Dakar to win this in the future? Well, it remains grounded as far as its ambitions are concerned at a prestigious event.
“No, I have no confidence to win it. Even though I won the rally 2, I never really thought I would do it. It was never my plan. Of course I enjoyed victory and I really loved Dakar 2024.
“I dream of one day when people are waiting for the weekend to watch how Indian Supercross live on TV – or watch Dakar every January.”
One of his most amazing moments in Dakar 2024 was not the winner himself, but the feeling of competition with the best.
“The biggest success was the overall lead of 10. Grade 10 until the last 30 kilometers – overall not just the rally 2. Psychiatrist, and we decided not to check.
The future of motoring sport in India
The lack of institutional support is a well -known obstacle to Indian motoring athletes. But Noah believes that the problem goes beyond financing.
“For me it’s a lack of a level of skills on a motorcycle compared to others. Most professional athletes start at the age of three or five. I started at 16. Their skill is much higher. If you put all Dakar riders on the track, I would probably end up between 30 and 40. The fact that it is to work for work is that it is the most important round – increasing skills over perseverance and everything else, ”said Noah.
Nevertheless, it is supported by recent development, including the launch of Indian Supercross Racing League.
“It is improving. If you delay five or 10 years, there will be a growth. Ten years ago I may have been the youngest rider at the age of 16. Now, in every supercross plant, there are 10 to 20 children under 15 years.
The inheritance he wants to leave
Noah is not thinking about retirement. He feels as if he has a long way and can achieve more in sport.
“I really didn’t think about retirement or inheritance I want to leave. I don’t see the end right now. I want to do my best and maybe getting bigger than I am. Nobody thought I would win the rally 2 before 2024 – but I believe bigger things are possible, but many things have to stand up properly.
And his dream? Zoom in motorsport to the Indian mainstream.
“I dream of one day when people wait for the weekend to watch Indian Supercross live on TV – or watch Dakar every January,” Noah concluded.
If this dream come true, expect Noah to be in the foreground and solve the unforgivable challenges of Dakar – and India will be proud.
– ends
Published on:
29. June 2025
