Safari Rally
Safari Rally | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Status | Active |
Genre | Motor Sport event |
Date(s) | June |
Frequency | Annual |
Location(s) | Great Rift Valley |
Country | Kenya |
Inaugurated | 1953 |
Website | https://www.safarirally.ke/ |
The Safari Rally is an automobile rally held in Kenya. It was first held in 1953 as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The event was part of the World Rally Championship from 1973 until 2002, before returning in 2021. It is historically regarded as one of the toughest events in the World Rally Championship, and one of the most popular rallies in Africa. From 2003, a historical event (East African Safari Rally) has been held biennially.
History
It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika,[1] as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1960 it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Safari Rally. From 1973, the rally was part of the World Rally Championship.[2]
The 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi) route featured a variety of roads and terrain - from fesh fesh (very fine powdered sand), fast farm tracks, and very rough roads up or down the Great Rift Valley. In heavy rain, roads would often turn into thick, deep mud.[2][3] The event was run on open roads, with all of the route being competitive mileage.[4] The driver with the lowest accumulation of penalty time between time controls was declared the winner.[4]
The rally was historically one of the fastest events in the world championship with average speeds over 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph).[5] However, the roughness of the terrain and the long stages meant that the winner was often the most reliable or the fastest cautious driver.[2][6] In later years, top rally teams would use helicopters to fly ahead of the cars to warn of animals or other vehicles on the rally route.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/EAS1973.jpg/220px-EAS1973.jpg)
Teams built specially strengthened cars for the event, with bullbars, snorkels (for river crossings) and bright lights to warn wildlife.[6][7] In the 1990s, Toyota Team Europe had a full-time test team in Kenya, preparing and testing the rally cars for the event.[8][7] During the rally, repairs had to be regularly made to the cars, which added to the elapsed time of the competitors.[9] In later years, tyre mousse - allowing tyres to maintain functionality despite a puncture - allowed drivers to tackle the event flat out, despite the length of the event.[6]
In 1996, the event adopted the special stage format, and servicing cars from helicopters was prohibited.[2] From that edition until 2002, it featured around 2000 km of timed stages, with stages well over 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, unlike most rallies which had under 500 kilometres (310 mi) of total timed distance. This meant that the winner's total time penalty was above 12 hours in 1996 and decreased to two seconds shy of 8 hours in 2002. Despite this, the rally continued to be run on open roads.[10] The event was excluded from the WRC calendar due to a lack of finance and organisation in 2003.[2]
Modern event
From the 2003 edition, the event became part of the African Rally Championship.[10] The event was modernised, with shorter stages and running on closed roads - like other events in the World Championship.[11] Two editions of the rally - 2007 and 2009 - were also part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. In 2013, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta announced a plan to return the Safari Rally to the world championship.[12]
On the 27 September 2019, it was announced that the 2020 edition would be part of the World Rally Championship. This event was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The Safari Rally eventually made a comeback to the WRC in 2021 after an eighteen-year hiatus from the 24–27 June, with a successful event held in Kenya on the floor of the Rift Valley in Naivasha, Nakuru County.[13] Sebastian Ogier and Julien Ingrassia emerged as winners in their Toyota Yaris WRC.[11] The Safari has a WRC contract until 2026.[12]
Winners
Kenyan drivers Shekhar Mehta and Carl Tundo have been the most successful competitors, with five outright victories each. Mehta won first in 1973, then consecutively from 1979 to 1982 - all while the event was part of the world championship. Tundo won five editions when the event was part of the African Rally Championship - the 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018 events. Tundo has also finished on the podium twelve times, ahead of fellow Kenyan Ian Duncan with nine podium finishes.[14]
Year | Rally Name / Dates | Winning Driver | Co-driver | Winning Car | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 | 1st Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Volkswagen Beetle | |
1954 | 2nd Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Volkswagen Beetle | |
1955 | 3rd Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Zephyr | |
1956 | 4th Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | DKW | |
1957 | 5th Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Volkswagen Beetle | |
1958 | 6th Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Ford Anglia 100E (Impala class) Ford Zephyr II (Lion class) Auto Union 1000 (Leopard class) | |
1959 | 7th Coronation Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Mercedes-Benz 219 | |
1960 | 8th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Mercedes-Benz 219 | |
1961 | 9th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | Mercedes-Benz 220SE | |
1962 | 10th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Volkswagen 1200 | |
1963 | 11th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Peugeot 404 | |
1964 | 12th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Cortina GT | |
1965 | 13th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Volvo PV 544 | |
1966 | 14th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Peugeot 404 | |
1967 | 15th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Peugeot 404 | |
1968 | 16th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Peugeot 404[15] | |
1969 | 17th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Taunus 20M RS | |
1970 | 18th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 1600 SSS | |
1971 | 19th East African Safari Rally | ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 240Z | |
1972 | 20th East African Safari Rally (30 Mar – 3 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Escort RS1600 | IMC |
1973 | 21st East African Safari Rally (19 – 23 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 240Z | WRC |
1974 | 22nd East African Safari Rally (11 – 15 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR | WRC |
1975 | 23rd Safari Rally (27 – 31 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Peugeot 504 | WRC |
1976 | 24th Safari Rally (15 – 19 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR | WRC |
1977 | 25th Safari Rally (7 – 11 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Escort RS1800 | WRC |
1978 | 26th Safari Rally (23 – 27 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé | WRC |
1979 | 27th Safari Rally (12 – 16 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 160J | WRC |
1980 | 28th Marlboro Safari Rally (3 – 7 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 160J | WRC |
1981 | 29th Marlboro Safari Rally (16 – 20 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Nissan Violet GT | WRC |
1982 | 30th Marlboro Safari Rally (8 – 12 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Nissan Violet GT | WRC |
1983 | 31st Marlboro Safari Rally (30 Mar – 4 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Opel Ascona 400 | WRC |
1984 | 32nd Marlboro Safari Rally (19 – 23 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica TCT | WRC |
1985 | 33rd Marlboro Safari Rally (4 – 8 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica TCT | WRC |
1986 | 34th Marlboro Safari Rally (29 Mar – 2 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica TCT | WRC |
1987 | 35th Marlboro Safari Rally (16 – 20 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Audi 200 Quattro | WRC |
1988 | 36th Marlboro Safari Rally (31 Mar – 4 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Lancia Delta HF Integrale | WRC |
1989 | 37th Marlboro Safari Rally (23–27 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Lancia Delta HF Integrale | WRC |
1990 | 38th Marlboro Safari Rally (11–16 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 | WRC |
1991 | 39th Martini Safari Rally 27 (Mar – 1 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v | WRC |
1992 | 40th Martini Safari Rally 27 (Mar – 1 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | WRC |
1993 | 41st Trustbank Safari Rally (8–12 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | WRC |
1994 | 42nd Trustbank Safari Rally (31 Mar – 3 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | WRC |
1995 | 43rd Safari Rally Kenya (14–17 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | 2LWC |
1996 | 44th Safari Rally Kenya (5–7 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III | WRC |
1997 | 45th Safari Rally Kenya (1–3 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Subaru Impreza WRC97 | WRC |
1998 | 46th Safari Rally Kenya (28 Feb – 2 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evolution IV (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV) | WRC |
1999 | 47th 555 Safari Rally (26–28 Feb) | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Focus WRC | WRC |
2000 | 48th Sameer Safari Rally (25–27 Feb) | ![]() | ![]() | Subaru Impreza WRC00 | WRC |
2001 | 49th Safari Rally (20–22 Jul) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 | WRC |
2002 | 50th Inmarsat Safari Rally (12–14 Jul) | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Focus RS WRC 02 | WRC |
2003 | 51st KCB Safari Equator Rally Kenya (9–11 Oct) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI | ARC |
2004 | 52nd KCB Safari Rally Kenya (12–14 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Subaru Impreza | ARC |
2005 | 53rd KCB Safari Rally (15th – 17th Jul) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII | ARC |
2006 | 54th KCB Safari Rally (24 – 26 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI | ARC |
2007 | 55th KCB Safari Rally (9–11 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Subaru Impreza N10 | IRC & ARC |
2008 | 56th KCB Safari Rally (27–29 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
2009 | 57th KCB Safari Rally (3–5 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | IRC & ARC |
2010 | 58th KCB Safari Rally (2–4 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
2011 | 59th KCB Safari Rally (17–19 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
2012 | 60th KCB Safari Rally (8–10 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
2013 | 61st KCB Safari Rally (5–7 Jul) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | ARC |
2014 | 62nd KCB Safari Rally (12–14 Sep) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | ARC |
2015 | 63rd KCB Safari Rally (4–5 Apr) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | KRC |
2016 | 64th KCB Safari Rally (10–11 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | KRC |
2017 | 65th Safari Rally (17–18 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Subaru Impreza WRX STi 4 D R4 | ARC & KRC |
2018 | 66th Safari Rally (16–18 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | ARC & KRC |
2019 | 67th Safari Rally (5–7 Jul) | ![]() | ![]() | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | ARC & KRC |
2020 | 68th Safari Rally (16–19 Jul) | Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns | |||
2021 | 68th Safari Rally (24–27 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota Yaris WRC | WRC |
2022 | 69th Safari Rally (23–26 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | WRC |
2023 | 70th Safari Rally (22–25 Jun) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | WRC |
2024 | 71st Safari Rally (28–31 Mar) | ![]() | ![]() | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | WRC |
Notes: IMC = International Championship for Manufacturers, WRC = World Rally Championship, 2LWC = 2-Litre World Cup, ARC = African Rally Championship, IRC = Intercontinental Rally Challenge, KRC = Kenya National Rally Championship
East African Safari Rally (classic)
The East African Safari Rally is a Classic rally event first held in 2003 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first running of the event. The event has since been held biennially.[10][16] The nine day event takes place over 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi), and is open to vehicles built before 1985.[17] The 2017 edition of the rally had joint winners, as both Richard Jackson and Carl Tundo had the same time.[18]
Year | Dates | Winning Driver | Winning Co-driver | Winning Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Dec 10 – Dec 19 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 240Z |
2005 | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | ![]() | ![]() | Datsun 260Z |
2007 | Nov 25 – Dec 3 | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Escort Mk1 |
2009 | Nov 22 – Dec 1 | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Mustang |
2011 | Nov 20 – Nov 28 | ![]() | ![]() | Porsche 911 |
2013 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 | ![]() | ![]() | Ford Capri |
2015 | Nov 19 – Nov 27 | ![]() | ![]() | Porsche 911 |
2017 | Nov 23 – Dec 1 | ![]() ![]() jointly with[18]
| Porsche 911 | |
2019 | Nov 27 – Dec 6 | ![]() | ![]() | Porsche 911 |
2022 | Feb 10 – 18 | ![]() | ![]() | Porsche 911 |
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Safari Rally (1978 film)
- Safari 3000 (1982 film)
References
- ^ The name Tanzania did not exist in 1953
- ^ a b c d e Davenport, John; Deimel, Helmut (2003). Safari Rally 50 years of the toughest rally in the world. Reinhard Klein, Wilfried Müller, McKlein Photography Köln. Köln: Harms Verlag. ISBN 978-3-927458-08-6. OCLC 76627693.
- ^ a b Evans, David (17 June 2022). "Safari Rally Kenya ready to test the WRC's greatest like no other". Red Bull. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b "juwra.com/About timing". Jonkka's World Rally Archive. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Statistics - Event average speed". www.juwra.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b c Rhodes, Cynan (25 February 1999). "Safari Rally Kenya: Introduction". au.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b "What would a modern Safari Rally car look like?". DirtFish. 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ "How tape cassettes sent Sainz to a dominant Safari win". DirtFish. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
Grist had been in Kenya for weeks conducting much of TTE's testing and recce preparation for the Safari. Ericsson had headed to Mombasa for a holiday before the rally, leaving Grist in Toyota's team hotel in Nairobi. "Mikael and I had done the recce," said Grist. "In fact, we'd been around the entire 5000-kilometre route four times.
- ^ "How Mäkinen ignored common sense to conquer the Safari". DirtFish. 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b c Kihaki, Mike (February 2022). "East Africa Safari Classic, a rich history of rallying". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b Howard, Tom (21 June 2022). "WRC Safari Rally: Everything you need to know". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b Njenga, Peter (25 June 2022). "Safari Rally rich part of Uhuru Kenyatta legacy and Kenya's sporting history". The East African. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ Sport (2021-12-28). "Kenya: Safari's Unique Experience Was a Sight to Behold for World Rally Teams". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ Shacki. "Safari Rally Hall of Fame". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
- ^ "Safari 68". Autocar. Vol. 129 (nbr 3777). 4 July 1968. pp. 6–9.
- ^ "The "adventure" that marks a driver's return to rallying". DirtFish. 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ Duggan, Briana; Page, Tom (8 April 2022). "'It's just about you, the road and your maker': Inside the East African Safari Classic". CNN. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ a b "Tundo and Jackson share Safari Classic victory". East African Safari Classic Rally. 2017-12-01. Archived from the original on 2018-02-25. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ International sportworld communication. "Safari glory for first world champion Waldegard". 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
- ^ "Final Classification Safari Classic 2017". East African Safari Classic Rally. 2017-12-01. Archived from the original on 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ Shacki. "Stage times East African Safari Classic Rally 2022". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- ^ Shacki. "Baldev Chager - Drew Sturrock - East African Safari Classic Rally 2022". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
External links
- Official website (in English)
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