History 1990s

1990 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire – Bandama (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1990 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire – Bandama (Ivory Coast)

Date: October 28 – November 1, 1990

Start Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Finish Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Total Distance: ~3,528 km

Surface: Gravel (open-road endurance)

The 1990 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire, one of the WRC’s most punishing endurance events, offered no manufacturers’ points and drew only the most determined privateers. Patrick Tauziac and Claude Papin expertly navigated the heat, dust, and navigational traps to secure their first—and only—World Rally Championship victory in the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4. The win cemented Tauziac’s legacy as a master of Africa’s grueling rally landscape.

Route

Yamoussoukro to Bouaké: Hot, dusty trails with scattered rocks and deep ruts—hard on suspension and tires.
West African Savannah: High-speed plains and forest tracks with minimal visibility and limited service access.
Night Sections: Dozens of hours behind the wheel—crew fatigue and mechanical attrition were constant threats.

The rally crossed wide swaths of the Ivorian countryside, testing the limits of navigation, endurance, and mechanical survival:

Roadbook navigation and mechanical discipline mattered more than outright pace—Tauziac’s conservative approach paid off as others dropped out.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Patrick Tauziac & Claude Papin · Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
2nd Place
Alain Ambrosino & Jean-Claude Lemoine · Nissan 200SX
3rd Place
Mike Kirkland & David Williamson · Nissan Patrol

Drivers-only round – no manufacturers' points awarded

Navigation & Challenges

  • Open-Road Format: No traditional stages—crews followed roadbooks and timed checkpoints over vast, sparsely populated terrain.
  • Climate Fatigue: Over 12 hours per day in extreme heat and humidity tested human endurance as much as mechanical reliability.
  • Self-Reliance: Minimal service—drivers had to manage repairs, tires, and refueling far from team assistance.

The 1990 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire demanded more than speed—Tauziac’s victory was a case study in patience, local knowledge, and mechanical preservation in the heart of West Africa.

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