History 1970s

1976 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 24th Safari Rally

Date: April 14–19, 1976

Host Country: Kenya

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~5,000 km

Total Starters: 66 crews

Total Finishers: 20 crews

The 1976 Safari Rally lived up to its brutal reputation with torrential rain, deep mud, and punishing rocky terrain across Kenya’s vast landscapes. Local legend Joginder Singh, alongside David Doig, triumphed in their Mitsubishi Colt Lancer GSR—marking his third Safari win and proving that consistency and preparation mattered just as much as speed in Africa’s most grueling rally.

Route

Great Rift Valley: Dusty descents and unpredictable river crossings.
Aberdare Highlands: Slippery red clay roads with sharp rocks hidden beneath puddles.
Taita Hills: Rugged climbs and descents through elephant tracks and savannah brush.

The event looped through central and western Kenya, including Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, and the Taita Hills, featuring everything from dry dust tracks to flooded plains and axle-deep mud.

Flash floods and deep potholes wrecked suspensions and forced dozens of retirements, while the survivors pressed on through mechanical triage and navigational chaos.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Joginder Singh & David Doig · Mitsubishi Colt Lancer GSR
2nd Place
Shekhar Mehta & Mike Doughty · Datsun 180B SSS
3rd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Lofty Drews · Peugeot 504 V6

Singh's mastery of local conditions and the Lancer’s bulletproof reliability delivered an African victory built on knowledge, grit, and respect for the landscape.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Wildlife Crossings: Gazelles, elephants, and zebra often wandered onto the course at high speeds.
  • Flooded Routes: Rain-swollen rivers and mudholes forced route diversions and late-night repairs.
  • Mechanical Endurance: Success depended on pre-rally prep and in-stage repairs, often done with minimal tools and under pressure.

The 1976 Safari Rally reaffirmed its status as the world’s ultimate test of man and machine—and Joginder Singh once again proved himself its most resourceful master.

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