Kenya’s Safari Rally: A global race like no other

Safari Rally: The World’s Toughest Test in Motorsport

Subtitle:
Kenya’s legendary rally returns for a dramatic 2026 chapter after more than 70 years of racing history.

Summary:
The Safari Rally in Kenya is widely known as one of the toughest motorsport events in the world, pushing both drivers and machines to their limits since 1953.

The rally began as the East African Coronation Safari to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Early competitors faced extreme conditions across thousands of kilometres through Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, driving on rough roads, crossing rivers without bridges, and battling thick dust.

By 1973, the rally became part of the World Rally Championship (WRC) organized by the International Automobile Federation, gaining a reputation as the event many of the world’s best drivers feared most.

Kenyan legend Shekhar Mehta dominated the rally with five victories, including four in a row between 1979 and 1982. Later, Scottish driver Colin McRae proved that speed could win the event as well, claiming victories in 1997 and 1999.

The rally was removed from the WRC calendar in 2002 due to financial and organisational issues but made a major comeback in 2021.

A new milestone came in 2022 when Kenyan driver Maxine Wahome won the WRC3 category in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win a WRC support-category round at home.

The 2026 edition takes place from March 12 to 15 in Naivasha, featuring 350 kilometres of challenging stages through the Rift Valley. Toyota currently leads the championship standings, with defending Safari champion Elfyn Evans and nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier among the top contenders.

However, uncertainty remains about the future of the rally, as the current WRC contract may make 2026 the final edition unless an extension is agreed.

After more than seven decades, the Safari Rally remains a brutal test where only the toughest drivers survive.

Source: Newstimehub