A childhood ambition comes true

From Brecon to Kenya: Local rally driver conquers gruelling safari challenge

While many local motorsport enthusiasts are happy to travel some distance to compete, few have gone quite as far as Brecon Motor Club driver Malcolm Rich (ORC, 70-76).

A childhood ambition to race in Africa became reality a few years ago when Malcolm first sampled a smaller event in Kenya. That experience led to a full entry in the East African Classic Safari Rally in 2023, competing in a newly built Mk1 Ford Escort. After completing the event, the car was shipped back to the UK and Malcolm assumed that chapter of his motorsport life had come to a close.

However, last year Malcolm was approached by Kidwelly businessman Ron Mounsey, who also harboured ambitions of competing on the famous Safari Rally. After some persuasion, Malcolm agreed to return, and earlier this month the pair lined up for one of the toughest rallies in the world.

A small support team flew out to Nairobi before travelling on to Mombasa to collect the Escort from the port. From there, Malcolm and Ron embarked on nine gruelling days of competition across Kenya’s punishing terrain. Their main objective was simply to finish - an achievement in itself on an event renowned for breaking cars and crews alike - but the rally tested them at every turn.

Drama struck within the first couple of days when a heavy impact after a sudden dip in the road caused two rear shock absorbers to burst. The damage kept the service crew busy, with welding work required to keep the car competitive. Further trouble followed near the end of the rally when, with the finish almost in sight, a marshal’s truck struck the Escort from behind, pushing the fuel tank forward and causing further concern.

Thanks to the skill and determination of the service crew - Jez MacWhirter, Craig Jones, Adrian Cavenagh and Adrian Leonard - repairs were completed and the team managed to nurse the car to the finish. Against the odds, Malcolm and Ron achieved their goal of completing one of motorsport’s most demanding endurance events.

They were not the only UK competitors making headlines. Pantydwr co-driver Steve McPhee enjoyed the rally of a lifetime, winning the event outright alongside his driver Harry Hunt. Remarkably, the pair had never previously competed in Africa and had barely driven their Tuthill Porsche 911 before the rally.

After a shaky start caused by gearbox problems, which resulted in early time loss, their service crew replaced the faulty unit in record time, allowing them to continue. Tyre issues followed over the next few days, but suspension adjustments resolved the problem and the Anglo-Welsh crew steadily climbed the leaderboard. Their breakthrough came on the final day when multiple Kenyan champion Baldev Chager rolled his car, handing Hunt and McPhee the lead. They went on to win by more than 21 minutes - an extraordinary achievement in such circumstances.

The Classic Safari Rally traces its origins back to the original East African Safari Rally, first held in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the toughest and most prestigious rallies in the world. In 2003, the East African Safari Classic Rally was established to revive the spirit of the original event and cater specifically for classic cars.

Thanks to Luke Williams B&R Express