The East African Safari Classic is an FIA authorised international rally for cars built before 31st December 1974. These cannot have four wheel drive or a supercharged or turbocharged engine. Although the emphasis is on period authenticity, all the cars taking part have to be fitted with modern safety items such as roll cages, fire extinguishers and seat belts. The reason for that is simple : the Safari Classic is an event every bit as competitive as the original East African Safari and has been constructed in its mould.
Unlike its famous ancestor, however, the emphasis on fast driving is only for the designated competitive sections. The rally stops every night for rest, refreshment and relaxation. However it is still tough and demanding, characteristics that it copies from the original event, and it will not disappoint those seeking adventure. There are more than 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) of competitive sections in a total of 4,300 kilometres (2,700 miles) of motoring. And those competitive sections are largely run on tough sections borrowed from the old Safaris.
The driving may be hard, but the night halts make up for it in comfort. These are at some of the game lodges and hotels that have made Kenya and Tanzania famous. In the middle of the rally, one rest day will mean that competitors get two nights in the same lodge. In addition, this year competitors will be staying two nights at other halts, which will give more time to appreciate what they have to offer. The nine days thus comprise eight days of competition and one of rest.
The rally starts and finishes from Mombasa and the entry fee for overseas entries includes just about everything that a two-man crew could need, ranging from air tickets to hotel rooms, car shipping to and from Mombasa, hotel accommodation for their service crew, and all the help needed to get the car through customs. The entry fee is US$ 25,900.00 which can be paid in instalments. With the US Dollar currently wavering around the 50 pence (0.74 €) mark, it is probably a bargain right now. Entries are limited to a maximum of sixty and already a dozen firm bookings have been received.

The Rally Office run by Event Director, Surinder Thatthi is at East African Safari Rally Ltd. P.O. Box 14910, Nairobi 00800, Kenya. Tel: +254.20.444.2372 Fax: +254.20.444.0346 and E-mail: info@eastafricansafarirally.com.
For press enquiries, contact : E-mail: safari.press@btinternet.com John Davenport Tel: +44.7973.334297 Franca Davenport Tel: +44.7976.918968.