Safari Rally

The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It was first held from May 27 to June 1, 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, 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.

The event was part of the World Rally Championship calendar for many years until being excluded due to lack of funding & organisation in 2003. The Kenyan government is trying to get the rally's WRC status restored. Since 2003 the event has been part of the African Rally Championship organized by the FIA. It is currently known as the KCB Safari Rally after its sponsor, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Local driver Shekhar Mehta was the most successful in the event with five outright victories (1973, 1979-1982).

Past winners

*1953 - No official winner declared. Fewest penalty points::::Alan Dix / Johnny Larsen | Volkswagen Beetle 1131 cc:::Doug Airth / Raymond Collinge | Standard Vanguard
*1954 - Vic Preston Sr (Ken) / D P Marwaha | Volkswagen Beetle
*1955 - Vic Preston Sr (Ken) / D P Marwaha | Ford Zephyr
*1956 - Eric Cecil / Tony Vickers | DKW
*1957 - Gus Hofmann /Arthur Burton | DKW
*1958 - No official winner declared. Fewest penalty points::::Arne Kopperud /Kora Kopperud | Ford Zephyr II (Lion class):::Morris Temple-Boreham / Mike Armstrong | Auto Union 1000 (Leopard class)

Notes: IMC = International Championship for Manufacturers, WRC = World Rally Championship, 2LWC = 2-Litre World Cup, ARC = African Rally Championship, IRC = Intercontinental Rally Challenge

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. Only cars manufactured in 1971 or before are allowed. A second running of the event was held in 2005.

External links

* [http://www.motorsportkenya.com/ KMSF official website]
* [http://www.knrc.net/ Kenya National Rally Championship]
* [http://www.africanrallychampionship.com/ African Rally Championship official website]
* [http://www.ircseries.com International Rally Challenge]
* [http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=rally&rallytype=Ken Race results since 1970 at Rallybase.nl website]
* [http://www.juwra.com/safari.html World Rally Archive - Safari Rally]
* [http://www.rallybugs.com/safari.htm Article on VW Beetles' performances in the Safari Rally]
* [http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/sports/EAS&Joginder/easafari&joginder.htm "The East African Safari Rally & Joginder Singh"] , Eric Cecil, 1973
* [http://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/ East African Safari Rally (classic) official website]