For the Lancia Martini team, the 1988 Safari Rally was the chance to win the classic African event for the first time since their involvement in World Championship rallying.
The Italian team had prepared thoroughly for their tenth attempt to win this round, with a tortuous 4,200 kilometres lying waiting to catch the unwary. Leading into it was championship hot-man Miki Biasion, with the Lancia Martini Integrale sporting a six-speed gearbox for the first time. Nissan and Toyota were expected to provide the main opposition to the Lancias, with Biasion anxious to extend his lead over team-mates Cesare Fiorio and Markku Alen, with Stig Blomqvist lurking menacingly in the Ford.