A non-political rally in East Africa

There was another rally in Nairobi today… no, not politics but the dirty, engine-revving variety as Kenya’s East Africa Safari Rally was waved off by the president.

The rally – generally considered one of the toughest in the world – has been running, on and off, since 1953 when it was launched as the Coronation Rally to mark the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2003 the Safari Rally suffered the indignity of being dropped by the World Rally Championship due to shoddy local organisation but that has not quelled the enthusiasm of African rally fans who crows the streets and line the circuits every year.

There are 84 drivers in this year’s event which covers 450 miles over three days.