The Safari is dead, long live the Safari

An international field will tackle the 2003 East African Safari Rally over 10 days in December.

This historic event for cars produced before the end of 1971 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Coronation Safari.

The event starts from Mombasa on December 10, and finishes at Diani Beach on December 19.

Event director Mike Kirkland hopes that the Kenya Airways-backed rally will boost the country’s tourist industry as it takes in some of its most beautiful landscapes. The local economy has been hit by the Safari’s loss of its slot on the world rally championship calendar at the end of last year.

More than 50 entries, spanning 16 countries, will be headed by the Porsche 911 of Bjorn Waldegard. Towards the tail of the field will be husband and wife crew Richard and Liz Pugh, from Cheltenham, who’ve bought a (£500!) 1967 Volvo 122S to enter.