History 1970s

1979 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 27th Safari Rally

Date: April 12–16, 1979

Host Country: Kenya

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~5,000 km

Total Starters: Approx. 74 crews

Total Finishers: 18 crews

The 1979 Safari Rally remained the WRC’s ultimate test of durability and endurance. Run across Kenya’s vast landscapes, it featured rocky plains, river crossings, and unpredictable weather that turned dirt roads into rivers within minutes. Local hero Shekhar Mehta, with co-driver Mike Doughty, expertly navigated the chaos in their Datsun 160J (Violet), claiming his third Safari win and adding to Nissan’s growing African rally legacy.

Route

Rift Valley: Harsh gravel and lava rock fields caused frequent tire and suspension failures.
Equatorial Rain Zones: Sudden thunderstorms created impassable mud tracks and flash-flooded crossings.
High-Speed Open Sections: Flat plains offered high average speeds but increased the risk of wildlife encounters.

The route circled out from Nairobi and looped through Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, and down toward Mombasa before returning inland—covering every terrain from volcanic rock to dense bush and tropical rain.

Weather was a key factor, with storms reshaping the road surface hour by hour—only crews with excellent local knowledge and mechanical sympathy could survive the changing conditions.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Shekhar Mehta & Mike Doughty · Datsun 160J
2nd Place
Sandro Munari & Silvio Maiga · Lancia Stratos HF
3rd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Lofty Drews · Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé

Mehta’s precise navigation and smooth pacing across punishing terrain proved unbeatable—his experience in African endurance rallying gave him an edge unmatched by even the top European stars.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Flooding & Washouts: Entire sections disappeared under water, forcing reroutes and delays.
  • Mechanical Attrition: Heat, dust, and constant vibration pushed every component to the breaking point.
  • Local Knowledge: Only teams with deep familiarity of Kenya’s terrain and conditions could maintain competitive pace while minimizing risks.

The 1979 Safari Rally confirmed Shekhar Mehta as one of Africa’s greatest rally drivers—his blend of pace, caution, and local instinct proved unbeatable in rallying’s toughest contest.

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