Abhimanyu Sanjeevan, the 27-year-old rally sensation from Kozhikode, Kerala, has captured the motorsport world with his remarkable debut season in the Junior Indian National Rally Championship (JINRC). Finishing as runner-up in the 2025-26 season under the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), Abhimanyu’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and podium glory despite crashes and challenges. Growing up as an NRI kid in Dubai, Abhimanyu’s love for speed ignited through endless hours playing Need for Speed (NFS) racing games. This childhood obsession laid the foundation for his real-world racing dreams, transforming virtual tracks into national rally circuits just two decades later.
Early Sparks on Kozhikode’s Roads
Returning to Kozhikode in the eighth standard, Abhimanyu found his first “race car” in the family’s old Mahindra Major jeep, where his father Sanjeevan taught him the basics of driving. He quickly progressed to the Toyota Innova, eagerly awaiting his 18th birthday for legal road spins. Despite racing dreams lingering, life took him to a job in Bengaluru after studies, keeping motorsport as a distant aspiration. A pivotal moment arrived in June 2024 at a Bengaluru karting event. Trying karting for fun, he impulsively joined an autocross race, impressing rally driver Athira Murali from Kottayam. She invited him for trials in Thrissur, where a first jump confirmed his calling: “After the first jump in my car, I knew this was my place.”
Entry into Professional Rallying
Through Athira and connections like Fabid, Abhimanyu joined Snap Racing, preparing his Volkswagen Polo for the JINRC 2025-26 season. Convincing skeptical parents father Sanjeevan and mother Baby Girija was tough; he demonstrated safety gear at Coimbatore track to win reluctant approval. Missing the Chennai opener, he debuted strongly in Coimbatore, securing second in both legs and feeling the “adrenaline rush” that hooked him. In Coorg, with friend Vijay Anand as co-driver, he took third overall (third in leg 1, second in leg 2). Switching to pro co-driver Avinash CA, he won his first leg in Bengaluru (second overall) and dominated Indore with wins in both legs, surging to second in standings.
Drama and Triumph in Nashik Finale
The season climaxed at Nashik’s tarmac Rally of Maharashtra, the sixth round. Entering second in JINRC and fourth in INRC3, Abhimanyu clocked competitive times over 170 km on day two but suffered a rear beam bend from a jump, forcing first-leg retirement. Bouncing back fiercely in the second leg (100 km), he finished third, clinching overall JINRC runner-up beating seasoned rivals despite missing a round and multiple crashes (including Coorg). Note: Final standings confirm Abin Rai (Madikeri) as champion, with Abhimanyu (spelled variably as Sajeevan/Sanjeevan) securing silver in his rookie year.
Aiming for INRC 2 next season, Abhimanyu’s journey from NFS pixels to FMSCI podium inspires Kerala’s youth. In a sport of split-second decisions, his debut proves raw talent and grit can challenge veterans. Abhimanyu Sanjeevan’s rise from Kozhikode’s streets to India’s rally podium exemplifies the thrill of chasing dreams against all odds. As he revs up for greater challenges ahead, his tale fuels the fire for every aspiring racer in Kerala and beyond.