2016 African Rally Championship Explained

The 2016 African Rally Championship was the 36th season of the African Rally Championship (ARC), the FIA regional zone rally championship for the African continent. The season began on February 11 in the Côte d'Ivoire, and ended on November 13 in Madagascar, after seven events.

For the second year running a Kenyan driver claimed the title. Mitsubishi Lancer driver Don Smith won the title in dominant fashion, taking victory in Tanzania and finishing second in five other rallies, wrapping up the title early, leading to no African Championship competitors entering the series finale in Madagascar. Star of the championship was Zambian driver Muna Singh Jr., winning in South Africa, Zambia and Rwanda. Singh was unable to finish any other rally and was overcome by Smith's consistency. Fellow Zambian driver Ismail Shermohamed was third in the title, taking victory in Uganda.

Event calendar and results

The 2016 African Rally Championship was as follows:

RoundRally namePodium finishersStatistics
RankDriverCarTimeStagesLengthStartersFinishers
1 Rallye Bandama - Côte d'Ivoire
(11–13 February)[1]
1 Gary ChaynesMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX2:24:44.712238.31 km2714
2 Marc MoliniéMitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII2:36:49.1
3 Loïc MalherbeSubaru Impreza STi N102:43:45.8
2 Sasol Rally South Africa
(22–23 April)[2]
1 Leeroy PoulterToyota Yaris S20002:30:02.014221.55 km2719
2 Giniel de VilliersToyota Yaris S20002:32:24.7
3 Guy BotterillToyota Etios R22:43:41.7
3 Zambia International Rally
(27–29 May)[3]
1 Jassy SinghSubaru Impreza STi N142:14:502919
2 Muna Singh, Jr.Subaru Impreza STi N142:15:01
3 Zubair EssaSubaru Impreza STi N162:21:51
4 Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania
(9–10 July)[4]
1 Randeep Singh BirdiMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX2:15:25248.71 km2612
2 Jamil KhanMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:17:36
3 Gerard MillerMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX2:17:39
5 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
(12–14 August)[5]
1 Valery BukeraSubaru Impreza STi N121:48:0114201.06 km2313
2 Muna Singh, Jr.Subaru Impreza STi N141:49:06
3 Hassan AlwiSubaru Impreza STi N141:54:43
6 V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
(16–18 September)[6]
1 Hassan AlwiSubaru Impreza STi N142:41:03.59232.76 km4420
2 Arthur BlickSubaru Impreza STi N102:41:53.6
3 Christakis FitidisMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:48:58.0
7 Rallye International de Madagascar
(11–13 November)[7]
1 Tahina RazafinjoelinaSubaru Impreza STi N103:13:2814193.75 km349
2 Herivonjy SolofonirinaFoton Tunland3:20:02
3 Tovo RakotojoharyRenault Clio 16S3:24:43

Championship standings

The 2016 African Rally Championship points are as follows:

DriverVehicle
BAN

RSA

ZAM

TAN

RMG

PoA

MAD
Total
1 Don SmithMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X222122115
2 Muna Singh, Jr.Subaru Impreza STi N1411Ret1Ret75
3 Ismail ShermohamedToyota Run-X
Ford Fiesta R2
4Ret3155
4 Gary ChaynesMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX125
5 Abdul SsempebwaSubaru Impreza WRX STi4Ret12

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 42. Rallye Bandama - Côte d'Ivoire 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 15 February 2016. 1 June 2018.
  2. Web site: 25. Sasol Rally South Africa 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 25 April 2016. 1 June 2018.
  3. Web site: Zambia International Rally 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 16 July 2016. 1 June 2018.
  4. Web site: 15. Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 17 July 2016. 1 June 2018.
  5. Web site: Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 21 September 2016. 1 June 2018.
  6. Web site: 20. V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 21 September 2016. 1 June 2018.
  7. Web site: 37. Rallye International de Madagascar 2016. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 19 November 2016. 1 June 2018.