History 1990s

1991 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire – Bandama (Ivory Coast)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1991 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire – Bandama (Ivory Coast)

Date: October 27–31, 1991

Start Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Finish Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Total Distance: ~3,200 km (open-road rally format)

Surface: Gravel and dirt

The 1991 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire remained one of the toughest tests in the World Rally Championship, stretching across the vast and unforgiving backroads of West Africa. Known for its long transport sections, rough gravel tracks, and extreme heat, the event demanded durability over outright speed. Kenjiro Shinozuka, already a Safari winner, once again showed his mastery of African terrain by guiding the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 to a dominant win alongside co-driver John Meadows.

Route

Yamoussoukro Loop: Fast dirt roads with high attrition from potholes, livestock crossings, and deep dust channels.
Bouaké Region: Long high-speed sectors followed by river crossings and soft red clay that became slick after brief rains.
Daloa and Man Sections: Forested paths with inconsistent surfaces—gravel turned to sand without warning.

The Ivorian stages ran across jungle roads, savannah tracks, and remote villages with few margin-for-error zones:

While some sections allowed for speed, most of the rally required steady pace, mechanical sympathy, and tire conservation across full-day loops of hundreds of kilometers.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Kenjiro Shinozuka & John Meadows · Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
2nd Place
Alain Ambrosino & Jean-Claude Lemoine · Nissan 200SX
3rd Place
Patrick Tauziac & Claude Papin · Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Shinozuka’s second major African victory further cemented his role as Mitsubishi’s endurance ace—his poise and strategic control gave him the edge in one of rallying’s ultimate endurance tests.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Open-Road Format: Unlike stage rallies, this event demanded precise timecard management, checkpoint accuracy, and full-day endurance pacing.
  • Dust and Heat: Cabin temperatures soared, and visibility was often near zero in convoy sections.
  • Survival First: Mechanical reliability, fluid management, and tire rotation plans were as critical as driving skill.

The 1991 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire was a final remnant of rallying’s marathon past—Shinozuka mastered it with discipline and endurance, further establishing Mitsubishi’s reputation in Africa.

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