By KPC Sports Correspondent
Taita Taveta is once again preparing to host one of the toughest rally formats ever staged on Kenyan soil as the Equatorial Rally 2026 roars into action from May 1 to 3, with a staggering 70 percent of its 1,005-kilometre route run as competitive stage distance.
Speaking during preparations for the highly anticipated event, Clerk of the Course Riyaz Ismail outlined what competitors and spectators should expect across the four-day spectacle.
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“Pre-event activities begin on April 29 at noon with scrutineering and documentation, continuing through April 30 from 8am to 4pm. The evening of the 30th closes with a Shamba-style sundowner, bringing crews together for competitor briefings in a setting that reflects the spirit of the event,” said Ismail.
Organised by Equatorial Classic Rallying, the rally proper begins on Friday, May 1 at 9am at Mwatunge Grounds in Mwatate, ushering in a new era for the event’s public-facing experience and setting the tone for a weekend built around both spectacle and serious competition.
Cars will tackle the opening stages in daylight before returning to the Langa Langa Circuit, which serves as the rally clubhouse and main service park.
“Langa Langa is a beautiful place for spectators to come and relax. There will be catering, camping, showers and proper facilities. It is a very spectator-friendly, family-oriented event,” Ismail noted.
Day two begins at around 11am with one marathon daylight stage. Crews then return to Langa Langa for service before the night stages begin, with the first car expected to roll out at approximately 7pm.
Two night stages will run back-to-back in complete darkness, with crews expected to remain on the stages until close to midnight.
Last year’s edition featured one night stage of 29 kilometres.
This year, competitors face two back-to-back stages measuring over 50 kilometres and over 40 kilometres respectively, significantly raising the challenge.
Day three will be the longest of the rally, covering 450 kilometres across three daylight stages.
The day starts at 9am and is expected to conclude by 5pm.
“We do not repeat the same stages in the rally, but spectators will be able to view at least two stages minimum per day,” Ismail confirmed.
Despite a difficult global economic climate, the entry list for Equatorial Rally 2026 is shaping up strongly, with close to 30 crews already confirmed and four international entries adding a competitive edge that reflects the event’s growing international appeal.
“Entries are still coming in given the current financial climate, but we have managed to get close to 30. We have about four international entries. Triple S Motorsports Team are coming in with two cars. Giancarlo Davide from Rwanda has confirmed his participation. Michael Zoll is also confirmed and will be renting a car from Equatorial Classic Rallying,” said Ismail.
First Edition Set the Benchmark
Last year’s inaugural edition of the Equatorial Rally delivered a fierce contest that set the standard for what the event represents.
Piers Daykin and Lloyd Destro powered their Datsun 280Z to victory in a commanding time of 7:13:37, averaging 85.6 km/h across the punishing terrain.
They were followed by Farhaaz Khan and Tauseef Khan in a Porsche 911, who finished more than 40 minutes behind, underlining the brutal gaps this rally can create.
Jonathan Somen and Richard Hechle completed the podium in a Ford Escort MK2, with a competitive field featuring classic rally machinery including multiple Datsun variants and Escorts battling through attrition and time penalties.
The rally is spearheaded by Equatorial Classic Rallying with strong support from the Taita Taveta County Government and seven host partners whose land forms the backbone of the stages.
These include Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy, Lualenyi Ranching Company Limited, Choke Conservancy, Kutima Ranch, Mgeno Conservancy, Mgeno Community, and Gicheha Farm.
Together, these partners provide stages that are as visually spectacular as they are physically demanding, placing competitors deep within some of the region’s most distinctive and challenging terrain.
