GOOD OLD DAYS

Legendary Anthony itches for rally action despite prior retirement

Anthony is among the drivers earmarked for a race seat in the main East African Safari Classic Rally courtesy of the organisers and event chairman Joey Ghose.

In Summary

• “For now, I cannot compete if I cannot get support to run a rally car. But I am glad that chairman Ghose mentioned that I will be among those competing in the 9-day marathon event in 2023," said Anthony.

• Anthony, who won five consecutive national championships between 1979 and 1983, is currently training his two sons, Matis (15) and Marc (10), on how to ride fast and safely.

Steve Anthony (R) and newly crowned Kenya navigator champion Tauseef Khan after opening the route during the three-day East African Mini Classic over the weekend
Steve Anthony (R) and newly crowned Kenya navigator champion Tauseef Khan after opening the route during the three-day East African Mini Classic over the weekend
Image: HANDOUT

Cruising at breakneck speeds on Kenya's fabled Safari terrain was not only a nostalgic experience for retired rally driver Steve Anthony but a scintillating pedal-to-the-medal feeling in a racing environment.

As a route opener (Zero Car driver) for the East African Mini Classic, the former multiple motorcycle champion recalled days the iconic Safari Rally traversed the scenic escarpment roads which are synonymous with world-famous Eldoret and Western Kenya rally routes.

Usually, route opening is not executed in rally cars, but Anthony, a former Guru Nanak Rally winner, rediscovered his racing antics in a standard 4WD; with standard engine, brakes and suspension.

Anthony is among the drivers earmarked for a race seat in the main East African Safari Classic Rally courtesy of the organisers and event chairman Joey Ghose

Ghose announced in Eldoret that Anthony will be among the star attractions for the biennial event, alongside former world champions Miki Biasion and Petter Solberg.

“For now, I cannot compete if I cannot get support to run a rally car. But I am glad that chairman Ghose mentioned that I will be among those competing in the 9-day marathon event in 2023," said Anthony.

“Route opening is great sometimes when you are itching for a rev in a rally environment. But the big difference between a rally car and a route opening vehicle is performanceThe Prado that I route-opened with also had basic off road tyres with limited amounts of grip in very slippery conditions.”

“However, the Zero car was faster than the Daihatsu Charade I drove to finish Safari in 10th position in 1990 and 91. So, it was a great occasion to remind myself of the good old days," said Anthony. 

Steve Anthony in action during a past race
Steve Anthony in action during a past race
Image: HANDOUT

“Of course, the Zero Car was big, heavy and the suspension was not amazing. We had to really pace ourselves especially over the rough paths with a lot of downhills, which had many hairpins in the Kerio Valley and down in the Charangany hills.”

Anthony reckons that the Classic concept is ‘out of this world’ and rekindles memories of the old type Safari. 

“It’s been a great honour for me to open the road and ensure that safety is guaranteed and indeed the traffic is out of the way. I think we went quite well and I believe I drove the Zero Car as a rally car. Sometimes you encounter a lot of boda bodas, livestock on the way so it was my responsibility to clear the way,” said Anthony.

Prodded to explain what was going through his mind while doing his thing on the stages, Anthony said: “It’s just a natural instinct once you get into this type of a scenario. First of all, I wanted to have a little bit of fun in the sections, which is what we did, and yes, the natural instinct kicked in to drive fast...it is what it is”.

“One of the most fantastic facets of the event was wonderful routes, on some of the the old roads that we used in the Safari in 1990 and 91. It was like memories of yesterday. I remembered some of the roads we used when I finished 10th in both the 1990 and 1991 editions of the Safari Rally in a Daihatsu Charade.”

He went on: “Tauseef was a fantastic and I was really happy to be next to an experienced navigator. I could drive with a lot of confidence.” 

“I go a long way with the Khan family. Tauseef’s uncle (Moody Khan) used to drive a Datsun 1600 SSS when I was driving my Datsun 120Y in the late 80s and the early 90s. In rallying we don’t really want to retire, but it all depends on getting support to do what we need to," said Anthony.

Steve Anthony in action during a past autocross championships
Steve Anthony in action during a past autocross championships
Image: HANDOUT

"I stopped driving in the early 90s because we couldn’t get the funds to find a better car to keep up with the competition. The sport evolves very quickly."

Anthony also recalled vivid memories of his Guru Nanak victory in 1991, alongside Philip Valentine. The winning car was a Mazda 323 4WD Group N. 

He had purchased it in late 1989 as a write off car from Mazda Rally Team Italia. It was a severely damaged ex-Belgian Gregoire de Mevius car, the then World Group N rally champion — who broke down and bowed out of Safari. 

"Winning the Guru Nanak in 1991 was my first KNRC win and the first time a Group N won a KNRC event. My main competition was Ian Duncan and Patrick Njiru but it must be remembered they were far superior cars both using ex-works Group A Subaru Legacy cars. We drove like crazy that night starting at number 7 and were in hot pursuit of Njiru who had an accident somewhere between Kajiado and Sultan Hamud.

That road was very tricky especially while hitting 190/120kph at night. We took the lead at about midway point and retained it to the finish."

Anthony, who won five consecutive national championships between 1979 and 1983, is currently training his two sons, Matis (15) and Marc (10), on how to ride fast and safely.

Steve Anthony (C) with fellow riders during a past championships
Steve Anthony (C) with fellow riders during a past championships
Image: HANDOUT

"My brother Jet was also in motocross at the time I was rallying while my dad — Henry Anthony — was Speedway and Road Racing Champion in a Norton Manx 500cc until a severe 1960 crash that almost killed him, just before I was born. After the accident, he held the lap record for bikes at the Nakuru Circuit up until modern machines went quicker," said Anthony.

Anthony started riding bikes at 10 with his first competition coming at the Mathatani Scramble track while in 1974, aged 13, on a CZ 250 made in Czechoslovakia. 

"The bike was an instant success with wins on my debut. My best days in motocross arrived during the days of Honda Kenya then known as Doughty Ltd (part of Marshalls Group), under team manager Hugh Lionnet, who was a top rally driver for Peugeot in his Safari Rally days. His guidance, alongside that of my father, gave us a very successful team on Honda. We were at St Mary's School by then, alongside Ian (Duncan)," Anthony remembered.

There were other motocross competitors like Rob Carr Hartley, The Nesbitt family, the Kibaki family (David and Tony), the Kinyua brothers (Peter and George). We were all in school together alongside (former) President Uhuru Kenyatta, whom I used to play rugby with at that time."

Anthony began rallying in 1989 in a Datsun 120Y. His most notable result was 3rd Overall in debut season in Nyanza Kisumu Rally KNRC. 

"We got a standing ovation after finishing third despite being newcomers and driving against more powerful machines," he said.

He also drove on the WRC Safari in 1990 for the Japanese Daihatsu Rally Team in a very underpowered, normally aspirated Daihatsu Charade. 

Steve Anthony flies his bike during a past race
Steve Anthony flies his bike during a past race
Image: HANDOUT

"In my debut Safari in the small Daihatsu 2WD, I finished ninth overall against the cream of the world WRC teams like Lancia, Toyota , Subaru and Mitsubishi. I later finished 10th overall in what was described as one of the muddiest, toughest Safaris won by Bjorn Waldergard in Toyota Celica 4wd Turbo.

"It was another night rally with very tough, muddy conditions where I took a lot of risks to get a podium finish. Ian Duncan won that rally in his TTE supported works Toyota Celica.  We were just a small, private and low budget team." 

Anthony still dreams of driving in a WRC Safari or even a Classic Rally.

In 2009, Anthony made a resurgence and took part in the National Autocross Championship in an "Attacker 1 Buggy" and went on to clinch back to back titles in 2009 and 2010, again against series' top drivers like Duncan and Keith Henrie. 

His last race in buggy was in Ganze, Kilifi in 2011 during the MMC Autocross round where he was first overall with FTD (Fastest Time of the Day).