Photo Credit:Reuters
The FIA World Rally Championship is back in Africa this month for one of the most iconic events in motorsport — Safari Rally Kenya. It is not just another event on the calendar. It is a survival test, endurance test, and test of luck. For decades, this rally has consumed cars, battered drivers, and created memories that last forever.
Origins: The Marathon Years (1953–1972) The story began in 1953 with the East African Coronation Safari, a rally created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension. It quickly evolved into one of the toughest events in global motorsport. The route spanned Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, covering thousands of kilometers across open terrain. There were no pace notes or closed roads — just rough tracks, unpredictable weather, and checkpoints deep in the bush. Drivers fought against torrential rain, suffocating dust, and scorching heat. Mechanical failures were the norm. Navigation errors would cost valuable hours. Simply finishing the event was deemed to be a victory.
WRC Era: A Rally Like No Other (1973–2002) Safari became part of the first official WRC season in 1973. Although the rest of the rallies were more about cornering accuracy and time trials, Safari was a war of attrition. Special cars were constructed with robust suspensions, bull bars, and snorkels by teams. Helicopters were used to scout for peril — from wildlife to oncoming traffic. It was fast, but not just about pace. It was strategy and dependability. Shekhar Mehta, Björn Waldegård, Juha Kankkunen, and Tommi Mäkinen are legends on those stages. By 2002, though, rising costs and logistical concerns made the rally unpopular with the WRC organizers. It was cut from the calendar.
The Comeback (2021–Present) Having been out for nearly two decades, the Safari returned in 2021. The route has newer special stages now, but the ferocity is still present. Deep grooves, fesh-fresh dust, abrasive rocks, and surprise showers continue to rampage around. In the comeback year, Thierry Neuville dominated much of the rally before suspension failure handed victory to Sébastien Ogier.
