History 1980s

1980 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1980 Safari Rally

Date: April 3–7, 1980

Host Country: Kenya

Surface: Gravel (Endurance format)

Total Distance: 5,333 km

Total Starters: 84 crews

Total Finishers: 18 crews

The 1980 Safari Rally maintained its reputation as the world’s toughest rally, offering extreme distance, brutal terrain, unpredictable weather, and minimal stage markers. With wide-open plains, flooded river crossings, and rocky climbs, the event focused on durability and route accuracy more than outright speed. Kenyan-born Shekhar Mehta, paired with Mike Doughty, conquered the field in their Datsun 160J, navigating both the African landscape and brutal competition to secure a historic win.

Route

Rift Valley: Rocky climbs, deep erosion ruts, and altitude shifts tested suspension and cooling systems.
Mombasa Coast: Humid coastal gravel offered heat stress and potential water crossings.
Highland Plains: High-speed dirt sections with grazing wildlife and unpredictable weather transitions.

The route looped around Kenya, spanning Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Mount Kenya, with harsh conditions ranging from dry bush trails to flash-flooded roads and dusty savannah tracks.

Torrential rains on the second and third legs caused flash floods, deep mud pits, and visibility issues, forcing many crews to retire or reroute around impassable sections.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Shekhar Mehta & Mike Doughty · Datsun 160J
2nd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Lofty Drews · Datsun 160J
3rd Place
Vic Preston Jr. & John Lyall · Datsun 160J

Datsun swept the podium, its rugged 160J proving the most reliable and adaptable vehicle in the event. Mehta’s local experience and calm pace helped him avoid time penalties and mechanical disasters across treacherous stages.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Open Road Format: Crews had to follow maps and timecards precisely—GPS and recce were not allowed, making local knowledge crucial.
  • Wildlife and Weather: Elephants, zebras, and flash floods were real hazards, as were mechanical breakdowns far from service points.
  • Endurance Discipline: With stages over 1,000 km long, even small mistakes could cost hours—fatigue and error-free strategy were paramount.

The 1980 Safari Rally was a brutal marathon of attrition—Shekhar Mehta’s win was a masterclass in patience, mechanical sympathy, and African rallying wisdom, earning Datsun another legendary triumph on East African soil.

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