The most demanding rally on the WRC calendar, the Safari Rally is tough on cars and competitors alike. Travelling over 5000kms of rugged unsealed roads through the stunning Kenyan countryside took its to, as did the very changeable and dramatic weather. When the World Rally Championship teams arrived for the 1984 edition there was some serious talent on the starting list: Rauno Aaltonen, Hannu Mikkola, Timo Salonen, Michele Mouton, Markku Alen, Stig Blomqvist and Bjorn Waldegaard among others. Local hopes were pinned on Shekhar Mehta, winner of five Safari Rallies between 1973 and 1982. 76 cars started the rally, by the end of the first 1700km leg, just 46 were able to continue. This review shows the battles on the long, long stages as Aaltonen, Alen, Mikkola and Waldegaard race each other and the dry and dusty conditions.
