History 1970s

1978 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 10ème Rallye Côte d’Ivoire

Date: October 21–24, 1978

Host Country: Ivory Coast

Surface: Mixed Tarmac / Gravel

Total Distance: ~5,000 km

Total Starters: Approx. 50 crews

Total Finishers: Very few (high attrition event)

One of the most extreme endurance rallies outside East Africa, the 1978 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire tested the mechanical limits of rally cars and the physical resolve of competitors. Stretching across harsh terrain, from jungle tracks to remote savannahs, the event demanded durability over outright speed. Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Vincent Laverne’s calm strategy and the Peugeot 504’s famed toughness led them to a dominant victory in this unforgiving African marathon.

Route

Central Highlands: Gravel and clay-based roads with deep ruts, loose rocks, and unpredictable traction.
Coastal Plains: Faster open sections on worn tarmac mixed with dusty red-earth gravel routes.
Jungle Zones: Dense vegetation, narrow paths, and waterlogged surfaces caused significant navigation and mechanical challenges.

The route looped deep into the Ivorian interior, starting and finishing in Abidjan, and passing through towns like Bouaké, Korhogo, and Man via rugged laterite roads and tropical forests.

The oppressive humidity and long, continuous driving stages meant that survival and steady pacing were the keys to success, rather than aggressive stage times.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Vincent Laverne · Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé
2nd Place
Timo Mäkinen & Henry Liddon · Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé
3rd Place
Bernard Béguin & Jean-Jacques Lenne · Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé

Peugeot dominated the event with its rugged 504 Coupés, sweeping the podium and reinforcing the brand’s reputation in African endurance rallying.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Heat: Interior temperatures soared above 45°C, testing both driver stamina and engine cooling systems.
  • Night Navigation: Poorly marked routes through jungle and savannah required accurate maps and sharp reflexes.
  • Mechanical Survivability: Potholes, riverbeds, and endless corrugations demanded constant vigilance and careful pace.

The 1978 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire was a war of attrition—Nicolas and Laverne’s victory was built on consistency, mechanical sympathy, and a car purpose-built for African endurance challenges.

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