History 1970s

1979 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 11ème Rallye Côte d’Ivoire

Date: December 9–14, 1979

Host Country: Ivory Coast

Surface: Mixed Tarmac / Gravel

Total Distance: ~5,300 km

Total Starters: Approx. 49 crews

Total Finishers: 13 crews

The 1979 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire was one of the most grueling endurance rallies of the season, second only to the Safari Rally in terms of length and mechanical attrition. Covering over 5,000 km of blistering terrain in West Africa, the event required stamina, heat resistance, and absolute mechanical discipline. Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz rose to the challenge in their powerful Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0, driving with precision and endurance to claim victory after six days of punishing rallying.

Route

Coastal Highways: Long tarmac stretches through sweltering humidity tested cooling systems and tire durability.
Inland Jungle Trails: Broken gravel tracks and forest paths where sharp rocks and deep ruts punished careless driving.
Village Crossings: Narrow, dusty passes through populated areas required awareness and mechanical sympathy.

The route looped across the Ivory Coast, passing through Abidjan, Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, and remote jungle regions—mixing wide open tarmac roads with rugged gravel trails, river crossings, and village detours.

Temperatures soared above 35°C, and even at night, dust clouds and tropical humidity presented relentless challenges to both driver and car.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0
2nd Place
Andrew Cowan & Klaus Kaiser · Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0
3rd Place
Alain Ambrosino & Jean-Pierre Nicolas · Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé

Mikkola and Hertz led a strong Mercedes-Benz effort, with their experience in African rallies proving vital as they withstood mechanical punishment and navigational complexity across thousands of kilometers.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Heat: Constant engine temperature monitoring and cabin ventilation were critical to avoid retirement or heat exhaustion.
  • Fatigue Management: Multiple 20+ hour driving legs made mental clarity and pacing as important as outright speed.
  • Navigation: Roadbooks were often unclear, and missed junctions could mean huge time losses or disqualification.

The 1979 Côte d’Ivoire Rally showcased Mikkola and Hertz’s elite stamina and strategic brilliance—their victory was a testament to calculated endurance in one of the world’s toughest motorsport events.

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