The Dust, The Clouds, The Ambiance And The Heat Of The Iconic Safari Rally

As a rally fan, I can’t imagine gravel rallies without dust, for the driver and navigator dust means a lack of visibility, wind blows away the dust thrown into the air by the previous car ahead.

The is nothing as picturesque and magnificent as my motherland Kenya, if you have never been on a road trip book now because they are a lot to see.

The East African Classic Safari rally is a great example of the wide variety of conditions drivers may face during a rally competition. One stage alone could feature dust the other rain. The weather is unpredictable and drivers have to constantly adapt.

A feel of the dust and breakdowns

Dust also affects the navigator because it makes it hard to see the roadbook, and harder to breathe and speak. The rally vehicles get additional seals around the doors to keep the dust out and need special air filters.

Ian Duncan and Antony Neilsen in Rover Vitesse

The threshold of grip on gravel is vastly lower, making it slightly easier for the tires to break free and lose grip. The inconsistency affects the way tires move and grip the surface. Ken block past only to get a puncture a few meters.