Matters of moment, July 2004

Second historic Safari Rally Retro to run in 2005

Mike Kirkland, organiser of last December’s enormously successful and well-received long-distance event, has decided along with his Kenyan associates that there will be another Historic East African Safari Rally.

Kirkland made the announcement just after competing in the annual Rhino Charge, a very tough four-wheel-drive event that raises money for rhino protection.

The next Safari will run from December 2-10 in 2005. Its format will be much the same and, although the event will be two days shorter than in 2003, it will still incorporate a break of one day in the middle for relaxation.

Eligible cars will have been built before 1974 or, if built up to the end of 77, must correspond to a pre-74 specification. More details should soon be available from the rally’s own website.

Last year’s victor Rob Collinge has announced plans to compete with his Datsun 240Z.

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Eyre-Maunsell back on stage

The veteran rally ace Robin Eyre-Maunsell joined the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship for the Mutiny Rally in mid-Wales. It was 22 years since his previous gravel outing, the 1982 Mille Pistes in France.

Co-driven by Simon Bentley, Maunsell drove the Ford Cortina GT normally used by Peter Scott, and ended the day with a class win and fourth place in the historic category.

“I do love the Welsh forests,” said Eyre-Maunsell, now 64 years old.

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Clark Rally route fixed

The Roger Albert Clark Rally is taking shape, with 26 stages set to be run for historic cars on November 20-23.

“We have a route we think everyone will like,” said spokesman Colin Heppenstall. From a Sheffield start, a run of stately home stages on Sunday precedes classic Scottish stages, including Ae and Castle O’er, before a final leg through Kielder.