Mike Kirkland (rally driver)
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KenyanNairobi, Kenya
Bruce Field Chris Bates Dave Haworth Yvonne Mehta Anton Levitan Mike Doughty Rob Combes Robin Nixon Surinder Thatthi| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Born | 1 August 1947 Nairobi, Kenya |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 1973, 1975, 1978–1991 |
| Co-driver | Bruce Field Chris Bates Dave Haworth Yvonne Mehta Anton Levitan Mike Doughty Rob Combes Robin Nixon Surinder Thatthi |
| Teams | Datsun, Nissan, Subaru |
| Rallies | 24 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 5 |
| Total points | 108 |
| First rally | 1973 East African Safari Rally |
| Last rally | 1991 Safari Rally |
Mike Kirkland (born August 1, 1947) is a Kenyan former rally driver from Nairobi, known for his appearances in the World Rally Championship.
Mike Kirkland is a former Kenyan rally driver and businessman, known for winning the Kenya Rally Championship three years in a row (1979, 1980, 1981) and competing in 19 Safari Rallies. He started his career on motorcycles, winning the national championship in 1969 before switching to cars, where he became a successful competitor and a works driver for Nissan. He also received the Kenya Motor Sportsman of the Year award in 1989 and has since built a career in tourism, running a safari company. Early life and career Born in Thika, he was educated in Nyeri and at the Duke of York School (now Lenana School). He began his motorsport career on motorcycles, winning the Kenyan national championship in 1969. Rallying career He switched to rallying and won the Kenya Championship in three consecutive years: 1979, 1980, and 1981. He was a professional works driver for Nissan. Kirkland competed in 19 Safari Rallies and finished 14 of them. In 1989, he was awarded the Kenya Motor Sportsman of the Year. Post-rallying career and business Kirkland became a successful businessman, establishing a safari and tourism company, Southern Cross Safaris. He is also a conservationist, particularly known for his work supporting wildlife in Tsavo. He continues to be involved in motorsports, having participated in events like the Rhino Charge and attending recent Safari Rallies as a driver for photographer Reinhardt Klein.
