History 1980s

1989 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1989 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Date: November 1989

Start Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Finish Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Total Distance: ~4,200 km

Surface: Gravel

The 1989 edition of the Rallye Côte d’Ivoire was another brutal test of man and machine through West Africa’s harsh terrain. Run as a drivers-only event with no manufacturers' points on offer, the rally rewarded survival and navigation over raw pace. Alain Ambrosino, a rally veteran with extensive African experience, used consistency and discipline to secure his first and only WRC victory in a Nissan 200SX.

Route

Yamoussoukro Region: Long, dry gravel stretches and high-speed savannah roads where overheating was a constant concern.
Western Highlands: Rougher terrain with river crossings, erosion, and unpredictable wildlife presence.
Night Sections: Visibility reduced to narrow headlight beams—navigation and timing under extreme fatigue were critical.

The multi-day rally crossed vast stretches of remote countryside, requiring careful pacing, accurate map reading, and constant focus:

As always in the Côte d’Ivoire, endurance outweighed outright pace—only the most reliable cars and patient teams reached the finish.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Alain Ambrosino & Jean-Claude Lemoine · Nissan 200SX
2nd Place
Alain Oreille & Gilles Thimonier · Renault 5 GT Turbo
3rd Place
Mike Kirkland & David Williamson · Nissan Patrol

Drivers-only round – no manufacturers' points awarded

Navigation & Challenges

  • Remote Service: Minimal outside help—crews had to be their own mechanics in the bush with limited tools and spares.
  • Heat Management: Engines and crews were under severe thermal stress—fluid loss and overheating were common failures.
  • Endurance Driving: 12+ hour days behind the wheel required stamina and unbreakable mental focus to avoid mistakes.

The 1989 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire rewarded patience, planning, and perseverance—Ambrosino’s win was a fitting tribute to the rally’s legacy of grit over glory.

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