The East Africa Safari Classic is regarded as one the greatest rallies in the world with the event clocking 72 years.
The idea of the rally came in 1950 as a conversation between Neil Vincent and his cousin Eric Cecil. Neil posed a question to his cousin suggesting that they should start an event where they drive cars across Africa.
The event was first called Coronation Rally in 1953 with (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) FIA marking the rally in its motor sort calendar.
"I can imagine nothing more boring than driving round and round the same piece of track. But if you organise an event where we get into our cars and slam the door, go halfway across Africa and back where the first car home is a winner I'll be in it.," Neil stated in his proposal for the event.
In 1960 the event name was changed to the East Africa Safari Rally after Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda attained independence.
The event was dominated by many local drivers with start and finish points rotated in the three countries. The first European team to win the rally was by Hannu Mikola and Gunnar Palmer in 1972.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) dropped the East African Safari Classic in 2003. However, it remained a regular event in Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) calendars.
The reinvention of safari rally classic cars was very key to the growth of the rally as it helped put it back on the international scene.
The 2022 classic edition kickstarts in Naivasha where several local and international drivers will race across 12 counties culminating in the race in Kilifi county.
The 5000 Kilometres rally has registered 48 entries with the event scheduled to kickstart from February 10 to February 18.