‘Rally Professor’ Aaltonen’s drive a blast from the past
Legendary ex-Safari Rally star driver Rauno Aaltonen (right) of Finland catches up with retired ace Kenyan driver Patrick Njiru at Tamarind Hotel, Nairobi on September 29, 2023.
The two men never reconciled. Mehta passed on in 2006.
But this is water under the bridge said Aaltonen during a reception in Nairobi before he embarked on the 3,000km drive.
His legion of fans have been delighted to catch a glimpse at one of the most famous names of the iconic rally.
Blood pressure? Check. Blood sugar? Check. Eye sight? Check. Heart rate? Check. The system is perfect, and Rauno Aaltonen, 85, is fit enough to drive himself for 3,000km in some of the routes he raced on during the Safari Rally of yesteryears, hitting speeds in excess of 200kph.
He has been on the famous roads daily in a Toyota Land Cruise Prado since Sunday in a drive known as the “70th Anniversary Safari Rally” .
