History 1980s

1982 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1982 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire

Date: October 27 – November 1, 1982

Host Country: Ivory Coast

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: Approx. 5,900 km (endurance format)

Total Starters: 53 crews

Total Finishers: 13 crews

The 1982 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire, one of the WRC’s most grueling events, spanned nearly 6,000 km of dust, heat, and attrition through West Africa. Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer drove a tactical and error-free rally in their Opel Ascona 400, mastering the endurance-focused format and treacherous terrain. Their victory placed them on the brink of the 1982 WRC title, proving that speed alone was not enough to conquer one of the world’s harshest rallies.

Route

Abidjan Depart: Urban departure led quickly into deep dust and red clay forest routes.
Yamoussoukro Loops: Featured dry creek crossings and deep erosion ruts—cars often bottomed out repeatedly.
Night Sections: Long-distance navigation with little lighting support and local hazards like wildlife and unpredictable traffic.

The event’s layout resembled a marathon, covering remote savannah tracks, river valleys, and jungle paths between Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, and Bouaké with minimal support and no traditional service parks.

Crews had to preserve their vehicles over hundreds of kilometers each day while managing time control penalties and mechanical fatigue under harsh conditions.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Opel Ascona 400
2nd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Lofty Drews · Nissan Violet GT
3rd Place
Mike Kirkland & Fred Gallagher · Datsun Violet GT

Röhrl and Geistdörfer were methodical—never the fastest on individual sections, but clean, controlled, and error-free. Their rivals struggled with heat-related breakdowns and fatigue, allowing the Opel team to build a decisive lead by the final day.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Heat: Interior temperatures exceeded 50°C—driver stamina and vehicle cooling were pushed to the limit.
  • Time Controls: More important than stage speed—minimizing penalties through consistent timing was key.
  • Bush Repairs: Crews had to be self-sufficient with limited spares—field mechanics made or broke the rally.

The 1982 Côte d’Ivoire Rally was a triumph of discipline over aggression. Röhrl’s victory embodied the spirit of long-distance rallying and solidified his championship credentials heading into the RAC showdown.

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