Remembering Sanjay 'Hardy' Sharma and Hari Singh | Indian Motorsport Icons | evo India podcast

This week on the evo India Podcast, Ed Sirish Chandran and editor-at-large, Adil Jal Darukhanawala, remember two legends of Indian motorsport — Sanjay “Hardy” Sharma and Hari Singh. In a deeply personal conversation, they look back at their lives, their legacy, and the impact they had on Indian rallying and motorsport as a whole. Sanjay Sharma was more than just the man behind JK Tyre Motorsport; he was one of the key forces that shaped Indian motorsport into what it is today. From building teams and supporting young talent to playing a crucial role in initiatives like Indian Car of the Year, his influence went far beyond the racetrack. He helped nurture drivers, journalists, and an entire ecosystem that continues to thrive today. Hari Singh, a multiple-time national rally champion, was one of the finest drivers India has ever produced. But beyond his speed and skill, it was his personality that left the deepest impression. Whether it was rally stages, long-distance road trips, or extreme off-road expeditions, Hari brought unmatched energy, humility, and warmth to everything he did. He was a competitor on track, but off it, he was a friend to everyone. In this episode, we revisit the golden era of Indian rallying, the intense JK vs MRF rivalry, and the evolution of motorsport in India through the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. We share untold stories from rallies, behind-the-scenes moments from motorsport events, and personal experiences that reveal the human side of these legends — the side that never made it to headlines. This is more than just a motorsport podcast. It’s a tribute to two men who defined an era, inspired generations, and left behind a legacy that will continue to shape Indian motorsport for years to come. If you care about cars, rallying, or the stories behind the people who built the sport in India, this is an episode you shouldn’t miss. Rest in peace, Sanjay 'Hardy' Sharma and Hari Singh. You will always be a part of Indian motorsport. 0:00 Introduction 2:59 Adil's early memories of Sanjay 'Hardy' Sharma 6:56 Hardy's role in shaping up the road map for aspiring rally drivers 7:32 Hardy's early life and career 9:25 Hari Singh's early career as a rally driver 13:19 Hari Singh's greatness as a rally driver 16:03 The role with JK rally team 17:39 Sirish's memories of Hari Singh 24:47 The loss of Hari and Hardy 25:50 Hardy's role in identifying Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok 29:44 The JK Tyre Motorsport events 30:42 JK Tyre and ICOTY and IMOTY 33:01 The JK Tyre ventures with Hardy 40:04 Hari Singh: the man with a big heart #evoIndia #podcast #motorsports Want more #ThrillOfDriving videos? Subscribe to the evo India channel: https://bit.ly/2VfzioP Read our stories here: https://evoindia.com/ Buy #EvoIndiamagazine here: www.evoindia.com/magazine Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evoindia/ Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evoindia/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/evoindia Official merchandise on 100kmph: http://www.100kmph.com/evoindia