A special moment of rallying nostalgia unfolded a few weeks ago when 1973 Safari Rally winning navigator Lofty Drews was reunited with the Datsun he rallied with for so many years.
It was a powerful image – a true legend of Kenyan rallying back alongside a car that carries so much history. These are the drivers, cars, and stories that helped shape the incredible heritage of rallying in Kenya.
Born in Tanga, Tanzania, Drews etched his name in World Rally Championship history when he navigated late Shekhar Mehta to victory at the 1973 Safari Rally – the first WRC win of his career.
That triumph was just the beginning. Afterwards, he achieved further success alongside greats like Sandro Munari and Rauno Aaltonen, and finished on the podium at the Safari seven more times, underlining his status as one of the most consistent and respected navigators in the event’s history.
Drews continued to appear regularly at the Safari Rally until 1990 and later graced the East African Safari Classic Rally with the late Tanzanian driver, Jayant Shah.
In the 1990s, Lofty moved from Kenya to Australia. After relocating, he competed in the Australian Rally Championship before eventually settling down on a farm in Queensland.
The reunion is more than just a photo opportunity. It is a celebration of great memories, great machines, and another amazing legend from the golden days of rallying – an era that made the Safari the toughest rally in the world.
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