History 2000s

2003 East African Safari Classic Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2003 East African Safari Classic Rally (Kenya)

Date: December 10–19, 2003

Start Location: Mombasa, Kenya

Finish Location: Mombasa, Kenya

Total Distance: ~4,000 km

Competitive Stages: ~2,100 km

Surface: Gravel/Dirt (Marathon endurance)

Reviving the spirit of the original Safari Rallies from the World Championship’s early years, the 2003 East African Safari Classic Rally brought historic rally cars back to Africa for a ten-day endurance challenge. Rob Collinge and Anton Levitan overcame brutal conditions in their Datsun 240Z to win the first edition of this historic rally revival, held across Kenya’s dramatic landscapes.

Route

Amboseli & Tsavo West: Harsh volcanic rock and deep dust demanded high clearance and conservative strategy.
Great Rift Valley: Fast but treacherous plains with unpredictable wildlife crossings and erosion-damaged tracks.
Lake Naivasha & Mount Kenya routes: Featured both scenic beauty and mechanical attrition — many crews failed to finish.

The route covered thousands of kilometers across remote Kenyan bush, savannah, and mountainous terrain. It followed the format of classic Safari Rallies — long stages, open-road liaison sections, and service challenges. Highlights included:

Daily stages stretched hundreds of kilometers, often lasting six to nine hours with no margin for error or delay. Navigation was as critical as speed.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Rob Collinge & Anton Levitan · Datsun 240Z
2nd Place
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3rd Place
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Their pace, consistency, and mechanical sympathy helped them beat a field of legends and seasoned rally veterans across a terrain known for breaking even modern machines.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Endurance: Stages ranged from 200–400 km per day — the challenge was more about survival and discipline than outright speed.
  • Wildlife & Weather: Rain, mud, and wandering animals added real danger — drivers had to remain focused for hours without rest.
  • Mechanical Management: With limited service and remote breakdowns, preserving the car became the highest priority — many top contenders retired from overexertion or fatigue-induced errors.

The 2003 Safari Classic was a tribute to rallying’s toughest era, and Rob Collinge’s victory in the Datsun 240Z remains one of the standout endurance rally achievements of the decade.

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