He’s the voice behind the victories, the navigator of Champions, and the man who’s turned chaos into podium finishes. With over 33 years of rallying experience, 300+ rallies, and historic podiums at WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026, Musa Sherif is India’s most celebrated rally co-driver. Today, we ride shotgun with the legend himself.
1. Musa, how did you first enter the world of motorsport?
I’ve been following motorsport since 1990, but everything changed when I was studying for my degree (BBM) in Mangalore. That’s where I discovered the Karavali Automotive Sports Club and their rallies. I went along just to watch – After a few events as a spectator, I knew I had to be part of it. In 1993, I finally took the wheel in my very first rally as a Rider.
2. Why did you choose co-driving instead of being behind the wheel?
I started as a rider in my first few rallies, but back then, finding a good navigator was tough. So I decided to learn navigation myself. That’s when I switched to being a navigator. Honestly, it was a smart move – as a navigator, I could sit alongside different drivers, learn from each of them, and stay in the car without the full pressure of driving. And those days, experienced navigators were always in demand. It turned my whole rally journey around.
3. Can you share what your first rally experience
My first rally was the Karavali Mandovi Rally – I entered as a rider. It was a TSD rally, but the average speeds were way higher than what you see in today’s TSD events. Honestly, it was an incredible teacher. That one rally taught me navigation, speed management, and time calculations like nothing else could. Every kilometer was a lesson. Looking back, that’s where my real education in rallying began.
4. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a newcomer to rallying in India?
- Difficult to know where rally happens.
No online facilities like now-a-days. - As a privateer, vehicle transport and service
- Difficult to contact concerned person in club
- If any itinerary changes or bulletins we will know only the day before documentation
5. How did your transition from two-wheelers to four-wheelers shape your career?
I started as a rider then I couldn’t get a good navigator later I learnt myself navigation and started my co driver career, after 2 years of 2 wheeler rally I shifted to 4 wheelers in 1995, that was my career change decision from then I continued in 4 wheelers
6. What motivated you to keep pursuing co-driving when the sport was still growing in India?
My aim was to reach the top level in India, for that I spent huge time on learning and preparation. Before my first rally, I watched many events and learnt most of the useful information. Step by step I learnt and participated in all the categories from lowest to top.
7. What do you believe are the essential qualities of a successful co-driver?
- Pre rally preparation
- Be calm
- flawless pace notes
- Expertise in Rulebook
- Good Strategy
8. How do you prepare pace notes, and how do they adapt to different drivers’ styles?
There are many types of pace notes, which I will adapt according to driver requirements.
Sometimes I suggests to put additional information depending on the terrain specially in Care / Caution places
9. Rallying is unpredictable—how do you stay calm and precise when things go wrong mid-stage?
Staying calm comes in naturally for me. A Co-Driver has to stay very calm in all situations, to avoid losing more time and to avoid repeat mistakes.
10. You’ve trained aspiring co-drivers at Unite Off-Road Park—what’s the most common mistake rookies make, and how do you help them overcome it?
So far 62 students have attended my training class. More than 20 of them now take part in Rallies. Every rally is learning curve. Rookies make mistakes in pace notes in tricky places, where precise pace notes are required. Many Students and some times drivers discuss with me and I happily teach them how to do it.
11. You’ve partnered with Gaurav Gill for multiple national championships. What made your chemistry so effective?
My Co-driving with Gill span 16 years ! We have done 72 rallies together, with 40 wins ( 37 INRC / 3 Dakshin Dare). We have won 7 INRC titles together and1 SUV title.
Frankly our “winning chemistry” is built on a foundation of deep mutual trust, and years of perfecting our craft together.
You know Gill is known for his aggressive, fast, and instinctive style and I bring in the calm, calculated thinking to channel Gaurav’s aggression, often literally chatting and correcting pace notes while on the move!.
12. Can you share a rally moment with Gill that tested your teamwork and brought out the best in both of you?
Yes, I remember it distinctively. It was Rally de kolkata in 2011. We were leading the rally by over one minute. While we were in the last SS just 5 kms to finish, we flipped, immediately we called the spectators and they put us back on wheels we continued and won the rally by over 30 seconds. a quick decision made big difference,
13. In 2024, you clinched the INRC title with Karna Kadur. How was that partnership different from your earlier ones?
Karna is not only one of the good experienced driver in India, but also one of the consistent, fast and clean driver with very high mechanical knowledge of the car.
We had a good rapport and in the 2024 season beginning itself, we worked on our strategy to finish in podium position in all the rallies
14. How do you adapt your co-driving style to different drivers across your career?
Each driver will have his own way and different call sign and information for making pace notes. As a co driver I have to adapt as per driver requirements. So far I have co-driven for 57 different drivers !!
15. In 2025, you and Naveen Puligilla made history with a WRC3 podium in Saudi Arabia. How did that feel?
Thanks to Naveen Puligilla for his confidence in me.
Yes, it is one of greatest achievements in my career.
We missed the podium in Safari Rally, because of mechanical issues with just two SS to go.
However, in Saudi, we achieved, over 300kms of stages in rocky mountains and fast sand sections. It was an unforgettable event.
16. What was the toughest challenge during the WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026?
It is an Endurance rally with 1400kms ; 350+ kms of special stages in African wild life stages, rough and slushy with rain. It is one of the most unpredictable stages in the world.
Our car preparation was done by Nairobi based tuners who knew the setup for a Safari rally, snorkel, maximum height suspension setup, more water to carry for windscreen washer, cleaning the radiator after every stage, and during stages we have to expect wildlife crossing specially when driving near bushes and forest areas, We had to use mask along with balaclava. There were many water crossing and rocky terrains, we have to save the car in these sections.
It was indeed a Dream come true rally for us.
17. How does competing internationally compare to Indian rallies in terms of logistics, terrain, and pressure?
Experience I got in India with different terrains really helped me in international rallies. Of course, WRC is totally different, because of the extreme challenging stages / iconic locations. It is 3 times more than INRC competitive distances in WRC rallies with 8-10 different long stages.
Organisation and the stage setup is very well organised despite the magnitude of those events.
18. What does Indian motorsport need to thrive on the global stage?
To truly thrive on the global stage, Indian motorsport needs a strategic, multi-pronged transformation from the ground up. The key areas requiring urgent attention are establishing a solid grassroots foundation, developing high-quality infrastructure, securing stable government policies, and fostering a culture of professional motorsport.
19. How can young co-drivers and navigators break into the sport today? What advice would you give to someone dreaming of a career in rallying?
Breaking into Indian motorsport as a young co-driver is a challenging but achievable goal. The best path forward is to combine formal training with building real-world experience in the rally community.
Join an Academy: Sign up for a co-driver training program. They teach pace-notes.
Find a Driver and Get Seat Time.
Network within the Rally Community
Attend events and connect with teams, drivers, and mechanics in person or on platforms
Start with Local Rallies: Build your experience with smaller, local competitive rallies to demonstrate your reliability and teamwork.
Climb the Ladder and Build Your Brand
Target the INRC:
Network & Build a Portfolio: Build relationships with drivers and teams
20. What makes a great driver-co-driver partnership truly work?
A great driver–co-driver partnership isn’t just about who’s faster on paper—it’s about absolute trust, seamless communication, and a shared mindset. In rallying, where seconds and millimeters matter, the duo must function like a single, split-second machine. Here’s what makes that bond truly work:
Absolute Trust in Each Other’s Role
· Driver trusts the co-driver’s notes: Even when the road ahead looks different, the driver must commit 100% to the co-driver’s calls.
· Co-driver trusts the driver’s skill: The co-driver reads ahead, but never second‑guesses how the driver will handle a corner. No back‑seat driving.
Flawless, Calm Communication
· In‑car crisis management: When a puncture or mechanical failure happens, they switch instantly to problem‑solving mode—no shouting, just clear orders
21. If you could relive one rally, which would it be and why?
It will be Rally of Arunachal.
The Night stages with very high speed stages.
22. After more than 33 years in the sport, what does success mean to you now?
Success is about teamwork, built on trust and reliability—it’s the shared satisfaction of overcoming challenges and standing on the podium together.
The trust and confidence between driver and co-driver are paramount, requiring a Co-driver to be the driver’s trusted eyes in high-speed conditions.
It is a fact that the driver usually gets the limelight, but success means the co-driver stands alongside on the podium. This shared moment is what fuels ones passion.
23. Your one piece of advise to young aspiring co-driver.
Prepare relentlessly.
True readiness comes from focused observation and a deep respect for the small details.
Learn from the best: Spend time with experienced navigators to understand their techniques, and watch rally videos to build your understanding.
Know every turn: Go through the route many times to truly understand what your job as a navigator entails.
Never skip safety: Develop the discipline to inspect your safety equipment, even during practice runs, making it a non-negotiable habit.
From dusty trails in India to the wilds of Kenya, Musa Sherif has shown us that co-driving is more than navigation—it’s about trust, precision, and resilience. Thank you, Musa, for taking us inside the helmet.
Waiting for your reply.
Lovely article
He is an amazing co driver but a better heman being. Thank you Musa sir. Hope to do one rally with you.