Overview
Shekhar Mehta's control of the Safari Rally reached its peak at the start of the 1980s.
The run crosses the decade boundary, so both the 1970s and 1980s entries accurately describe different parts of the same achievement.
History
Driver
1980s
Shekhar Mehta
🏆 Major Achievements
Won the Safari Rally in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 with Datsun or Nissan machinery.
Those victories followed his first Safari win in 1973.
Five overall Safari victories made him the event's defining driver of the period.
Vehicle Highlights
- Datsun 160J (Violet): His main weapon of choice, proving exceptionally durable over Safari’s brutal stages.
- Nissan 240RS: Continued his rallying success into the mid-1980s with this Group B rear-wheel-drive machine.
- Nissan Patrol (development): Later contributed to Nissan’s off-road programs beyond rallying.
His mechanical sympathy and ability to preserve his car were vital in events where attrition claimed most competitors.
Driving Style & Legacy
Mehta’s approach emphasized survival, navigation, and strategy, perfectly suited to the Safari’s demands. While other drivers pushed flat-out, he calculated where to conserve and when to strike. His command of African rallies was unmatched, and his influence helped raise the profile of African motorsport on the world stage. Later in life, he served in administrative roles with the FIA, continuing to advocate for rally development and road safety globally.
Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.
Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back
Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.