Experienced rally driver Malcolm Rich has praised his incredible experience in the East African Safari Classic Rally, citing the god-like status he felt in the host country of Kenya.
The Welshman most recently participated in 2023, driving an iconic MK1 Ford Escort alongside co-driver Adrian Cavenagh. Marketed as the ‘world’s toughest rally’, iconic drivers like Stig Blomqvist and Ken Block have been allured to the event. This year, the rally takes place on the 5-13 December.
This year, Jos Verstappen, the former Formula 1 driver and father of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, will be competing.
(1/2) The traffic here in Kenya for the East African Classic Safari Rally is a little… different. There’s giraffes. Zebras. Cows, packs of goats, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and of course the big jumps, dips, etc., all on the rough Kenyan roads. pic.twitter.com/R3qsXC1ic4
— Ken Block (@kblock43) February 12, 2022
2021 onboard footage from former icon Ken Block captures the essence of the rally
The classic rally is open to two-wheel drive, normally aspirated, FIA rally cars built before 1986. An average daily driving distance of 450 kilometres is undertaken.
“The distances over there are huge compared to here,” Rich began. “Over here a stage rally is 40 miles. Over there we did 5,000 kilometres in nine days. And on the penultimate day, our first run out to get to our first stage was from Brecon to Leeds.” To put this into context, Rich had to drive 190 miles just to reach the first competitive run.
“That was just a four-hour run out on dirt roads just to get to the start of then a 100-mile stage. And there were three stages a day. So it was full on for nine days, day after day. But that’s endurance as well, that is different to a sprint through a forest.”
This group of passionate fans are pictured at the 2024 WRC Safari Rally Kenya
Royal rallying roots
The East African Safari Rally began in 1953 in celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Classic was established in 2003 as a separate event to pay homage to the original rally which captured the spirit of drivers, manufactures and fans alike.
“Rallying in Africa is like rallying was in the UK in the 70s. Servicing is at the side of the roads, there are no service parks. The public loves you, the police ignore you. You are God out there. It’s a wonderful place to be.” Rich concluded.
