History 1980s

1987 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1987 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Date: November 1987

Start Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Finish Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Total Distance: ~4,000 km

Surface: Gravel

The 1987 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire remained one of the WRC’s most brutal endurance events. Held as a drivers’ championship-only round, the rally challenged competitors with extreme distances, limited service, and oppressive heat. Yves Loubet and Jean-Michel Arbiolet delivered a calculated and consistent performance to take the win in their Lancia Delta HF 4WD, surviving mechanical stress and navigation difficulties to stand atop the podium in Africa.

Route

Yamoussoukro Loops: Long, technical stages featuring deep ruts, dense brush, and surprise washouts.
Man Region: Fast, open plains with wildlife hazards and heat-strained engine loads.
Night Sections: Fatigue-heavy legs requiring intense concentration and flawless timing from both driver and co-driver.

The route traversed remote savannah, dense jungle roads, and fast gravel tracks across the interior of Côte d’Ivoire:

Minimal service opportunities and unpredictable road conditions made every kilometer a risk—survival took precedence over flat-out speed.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Yves Loubet & Jean-Michel Arbiolet · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
2nd Place
Erwin Weber & Manfred Hiemer · Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V
3rd Place
Alain Ambrosino & Jean-Pierre Bousquet · Toyota Celica TCT

Drivers-only round – no manufacturers' points awarded

Navigation & Challenges

  • Exhaustive Distance: With over 4,000 km covered, pacing and mechanical preservation were crucial for survival.
  • Service Scarcity: Long stretches between support meant drivers often had to manage small issues alone.
  • Environmental Hazards: Dust, dehydration, and engine heat-related failures were constant threats across the event.

The 1987 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire demanded patience, mechanical empathy, and precise coordination. Yves Loubet’s victory was a study in how to conquer Africa’s toughest terrain without needing to be the fastest man on every stage.

← Previous Event 1987 Rallye Sanremo (Italy)
Back to Events Index
1987 Lombard RAC Rally (Great Britain) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.