The East African Safari Rally is a Rally-Raid (long distance off-road racing) competition held in Kenya. One of the most grueling and prestigious rallies in the world, it has been held annually since 1953. The rally covers 3,100-miles or 5,000 kilometers. The roads are often rough and uneven, dusty or muddy depending on the weather. The East African Safari Rally is typically held in July or August, Kenya's rainy season, which means that drivers may have to deal with rain, mud, and flooding. If the weather is very hot and humid, it's not only difficult for the drivers, but can also put a lot of stress on the cars.
The 1978 East African Safari Rally was the 26th year. Of the 153 drivers who entered the Rally, only 15 drivers actually finished as many of the cars suffered mechanical problems. A number of notable competitors entered the rally including Ari Vatanen, who finished fourth in a Ford Escort RS1800, and Shekhar Mehta, who finished 10th in a Datsun 160J. However, depending on who you asked, the Porsche team was one of the favorites to win, and they delivered when the entire Porsche team all managed to place while driving the Porsche 911 SC. Edgard Heimann and Claude Billoux finished in seventh place, while Vic Preston Jr. and John Lyall came in third. Despite losing their rear axle tiebar after accidentally hitting a boulder that was hidden in the mud, Björn Waldegård and Hans Thorszelius still won second place. Jean-Pierre Nicolas and his co-driver Jean-Claude Bertrand took first place by completing the rally in 94 hours and 30 min after keeping their Porsche running smoothly.
The East African Safari Rally is a legendary event in the world of motorsport, and the 1978 running of the rally was one of the most exciting and memorable. Jean-Pierre Nicolas's and Jean-Claude Bertrand's victory was a testament to their skill and determination, and it's a victory that is still remembered today.
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4 окт 2024
