Mason succumbs to the allure of Safari Classic

Nick Mason has competed in every Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally from 2007 using the same car and engine – a 1970 Datsun 240Z and has finished them all.

He will be among the star attractions in the forthcoming edition which starts and ends at Sarova Whitesands in Mombasa from November 23- December 1.

With three different navigators, and one member of his service crew has done 4 of these rallies with him in the Toyota service vehicle that has also completed all five.

The 2007 rally was a big learning experience and Mason broke his car every day, working into the night with his crew to ensure they were ready to start the next day on time.

Empowered with the newly found knowledge, Mason resolved to go home to UK and rebuild the car himself to be strong enough to withstand the demands of the Safari Rally and to make it easier to change or mend parts that still got bent or broken, usually as a result of an unfortunate meeting with a large boulder or sunken drift.

The lure of Kenya is also largely due to his love of the wonderful people he has met throughout who have always shown warmth, hospitality and help and the amazing scenery he has had the good fortune to experience en route.

By Correspondent