History 1980s

1988 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1988 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Date: March 31 – April 4, 1988

Start Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Finish Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Total Distance: 3,874 km

Surface: Gravel

The 1988 Safari Rally tested every aspect of endurance rallying, from searing heat and flooded riverbeds to mechanical attrition over endless kilometers. Miki Biasion and Tiziano Siviero delivered a textbook drive, carefully managing their Lancia Delta HF 4WD through treacherous terrain while others faltered. It was Biasion’s first win on African soil—and a critical boost to his world championship campaign.

Route

Amboseli and Tsavo: Fast, dusty roads with wildlife hazards and variable surface conditions.
Mount Kenya Region: Rocky trails and high-elevation climbs taxed suspension and cooling systems.
Lakes Naivasha & Baringo: Mud traps and flash-flood-prone segments made timing unpredictable and risk management essential.

The route wound through remote Kenyan regions, with deep water crossings, open plains, and brutal corrugations:

Crews faced relentless fatigue, mechanical breakdowns, and unpredictable weather—only the smartest and most reliable contenders made it to Nairobi intact.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Miki Biasion & Tiziano Siviero · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
2nd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
3rd Place
Mike Kirkland & David Williamson · Nissan 200SX

Lancia’s 1–2 finish marked a major triumph in Group A’s evolution—the Delta HF 4WD proving it could withstand even the world’s harshest rally.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Navigation: Crews relied on maps and landmarks—getting lost was often more costly than driving slowly.
  • Wildlife & Terrain: Encounters with zebras, elephants, and deep ruts were part of the daily risk matrix.
  • Mechanical Fatigue: The rough conditions punished gearboxes, differentials, and cooling systems over long stages.

The 1988 Safari Rally rewarded balance and composure—Biasion’s triumph was not only about speed but discipline, marking one of the most important wins of his title-winning season.

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