By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Taita Taveta is set to host one of the most demanding rally formats ever staged on Kenyan soil once again, as the Equatorial Rally 2026 roars into action from May 1st to 3rd with a staggering 70% of its 1,005 km route run as competitive stage distance.
Speaking in the middle of preparations for the much-anticipated event, Clerk of the Course Riyaz Ismail walked us through what competitors and spectators should expect across the four days.
“Pre-event activities open on the 29th of April at noon with scrutineering and documentation, continuing through the 30th 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 the 1st of May at 9am at Mwatunge Grounds in Mwatate, marking 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 tackle the first stages in daylight before returning to the Langa Langa Circuit, which serves as the rally clubhouse and main service park for the event.
“Langa Langa is a beautiful place for spectators to come and relax,” said Ismail. “There will be catering, camping, showers and proper facilities. It is a very spectator friendly, family-oriented event.”
Day two begins at around 11am with one marathon stage in daylight. Crews return to Langa Langa for service before the night stages begin, with the first car rolling out at approximately 7pm. Two-night stages run back-to-back in complete darkness, with crews expected to be out on the stages until close to midnight.
Last year featured one night stage of 29 kilometres. This year, competitors face back-to-back stages of over 50 kilometres and over 40 kilometres respectively.
Day three is the longest day of the rally, covering 450 kilometres across three daylight stages. The day starts at 9am and is expected to wrap up by 5pm.
“We do not repeat the same stages in the rally, but spectator would be able to view at least two stages minimum per day,” Ismail confirmed.
Despite a tough global economic climate, the entry list for the Equatorial Rally 2026 is building with genuine depth and international flavour. Close to 30 crews have confirmed participation, with four international entries adding a competitive edge that signals the event’s growing reputation beyond Kenya’s borders.
“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.” Noted Ismail.
First Edition
Last year’s edition of the Equatorial Rally delivered a hard-fought contest that set the tone for what this 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 punishing terrain.
They were chased by Farhaaz Khan and Tauseef Khan in a Porsche 911, who finished over 40 minutes behind, underlining the brutal gaps this rally can create. The podium was completed by Jonathan Somen and Richard Hechle 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 spearheaded by Equatorial Classic Rallying with generous support of Taita Taveta County Government and seven host partners whose land forms the backbone of the stages. The stages run across 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 it is physically demanding, placing competitors deep in some of the most distinctive terrain in the region.
