Showing posts with label Safari Rally. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Safari Rally. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 March 2026
Sunday, 15 March 2026
Saturday, 14 March 2026
Friday, 13 March 2026
Thursday, 12 March 2026
THIERRY NEUVILLE IN DEEP TROUBLE - RELIEF IN SIGHT?
Thierry Neuville’s World Rally Championship season has not started in particularly bright fashion.
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| Thierry Neuville. Photo: Helena El Mokni/Hyundai Motorsport GmbH |
After two rounds, the 2024 world champion sits only fifth in the standings. The gap to championship leader Elfyn Evans has already stretched to 39 points.
The performance of Hyundai’s Rally1 car was nowhere near Toyota’s level in the opening rounds of the season. That has caused major frustration for Neuville, whose results were modest in Monte Carlo and Sweden.
Neuville is hoping to ease his frustration this weekend in Kenya. In Safari Rally, outright performance is often less important than simply staying out of trouble. If a driver can bring the car to the finish without major damage, the result can be very strong.
“On this rally everybody has the same chance of winning and doing well. So we think we have good chances for a good result,” Neuville said.
“But we also know that in the past we have had some struggles over here. So the target is to avoid those problems. And then we’re going to see where we end up,” the Belgian star added.
The WRC stars are set to face quite an adventure in Kenya once again. Due to the heavy rain in recent weeks, the special stages are in extremely demanding condition.
“Conditions on recce were quite extreme and very changeable as well. And that’s what we’re going to expect also for the weekend. So it will be a big compromise between speed, reliability and just having a good feeling,” Neuville said.
Forecasts suggest that more rain could arrive on the stages during the weekend, increasing the level of difficulty even further.
“When the rain arrives, the stages are basically flooded immediately. Especially this year, most sections are already very rutted due to the rain in the past weeks. Then the ruts are immediately full of water and you basically can’t drive in the ruts. If you go out of the line, you go into the mud and it doesn’t make it much better. You basically lose control of the car and you just try to get through,” Neuville explained.
Safari Rally begins on Thursday afternoon with the first two special stages.
- Toni Heinonen
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Friday, 2 January 2026
DATSUN BLUEBIRD | EAST AFRICAN SAFARI RALLY | 1963
The Datsun Bluebird first appeared at the East African Safari Rally in 1963. The Safari was already known as the toughest rally in the world, a punishing mix of rough East African terrain, river crossings, dust, rain, and mechanical brutality. European cars like Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, and Volvo dominated the entry lists. Against them, the small, modestly powered Japanese saloon looked outmatched. But its debut in 1963 quietly marked the beginning of a story that would redefine rallying.
Datsun returned year after year, treating the Safari as a proving ground. The cars evolved, engineers learned, and drivers grew familiar with the demanding African conditions. The turning point came in 1966, during the 14th Safari Rally. That year, the Datsun Bluebird 1300SS (P411) took a landmark class win, becoming the first Japanese-built car to win a class in the Safari Rally. It wasn’t an overall victory, but it was symbolic proof that Japan’s approach to reliability, lightness, and efficiency could compete in the world’s harshest motorsport environment.
The breakthrough arrived just four years later. In 1970, Datsun entered the rally with the more powerful and agile Bluebird 1600SSS (P510). Driven by Edgar Herrmann and co-driver Hans Schüller, the car delivered a historic performance, securing Datsun’s first-ever overall Safari Rally victory. That 1970 win was more than a motorsport achievement; it marked the first time any Japanese manufacturer won the Safari outright. It also established Datsun as a world-class rally force and set the stage for Nissan’s future rally legends, including the 240Z and the Violet GT.
Today, the spirit of the Bluebird lives on. Across Kenya and the region, enthusiasts have restored these once-humble machines some kept as cherished family cars, others reborn for competition in the East African Safari Classic Rally, where their durability still shines.And it makes you wonder: where are the original Safari Bluebirds today, who owns them in Kenya, and what condition are they in now?
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Monday, 24 March 2025
TANZANIAN YASSIN NASSERS WIN BIG AT THE WRC SAFARI RALLY 2025
Tanzania’s Yassin Nasser navigated by Katumba Ali returned home in third position edging out Samman Vohra who was fourth.
Africa Rally Championship category during the WRC Safari Rally Championship, results:
1.Carl Flash Tundo/Tim Jessop-5.31.02
2.Wahome Jeremiah/Okundi Victor-5.49.02
3.Nasser Yassin/Katumba Ali-6.39.19
4.Samman Vohra/Drew Sturrock-6.53.59
5.Nikhil Sachania-7.04.36
6.Minesh Rathod-8.53.00
Sunday, 23 March 2025
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