History 1990s

1999 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1999 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Date: February 25–28, 1999

Start Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Finish Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Total Distance: ~2,190 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 1,090 km

Surface: Gravel, sand, rock, mud

The 1999 Safari Rally, known for its punishing length and unpredictable African terrain, became an instant classic. It marked the competition debut of the Ford Focus WRC, and Colin McRae rose to the occasion with a courageous and tactically brilliant drive. Over four days of wildlife crossings, deep fesh-fesh dust, and brutal rock-laden tracks, McRae and Grist brought Ford a historic first win with their all-new car.

Route

Suswa–Magadi: Rocky terrain, animal hazards, and dry river crossings that challenged suspension and cooling systems.
Elementaita Loop: Long stretches of fesh-fesh and volcanic ash dust reduced visibility and wore out air filters rapidly.
Nakuru–Naivasha: Fast, wide-open savannah stages with deep water splashes and intense vibration-induced mechanical stress.

The Safari Rally ran through Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, with massive loops stretching hundreds of kilometers per day. Key sections included:

Unlike European rallies, competitors were timed across full road sections and required helicopter-assisted servicing. The route’s extreme distance and heat demanded strategic driving and durable machinery above all else.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Ford Focus WRC
2nd Place
Didier Auriol & Denis Giraudet · Toyota Corolla WRC
3rd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Repo · Subaru Impreza WRC99

McRae’s legendary toughness and mechanical sympathy paid off, as he guided the all-new Focus through hundreds of punishing kilometers to claim its maiden victory and instantly silence doubters.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Long Stages: With some legs over 100 km, drivers had to carefully preserve cars while maintaining rally pace across terrain changes.
  • Dust and Heat: Fesh-fesh and ambient heat created constant airflow and filtration problems for engines and interiors.
  • Mechanical Strategy: Conserving tires, cooling systems, and dampers across massive stage distances separated finishers from retirements.

The 1999 Safari Rally was not only a brutal test of machinery but a legendary performance from McRae. With one of the most iconic debut wins in WRC history, the Ford Focus WRC arrived on the global stage in spectacular fashion.

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