2018 African Rally Championship Explained

The 2018 African Rally Championship was the 38th season of the African Rally Championship (ARC), the FIA regional zone rally championship for the African continent. The season began on February 23 in the Côte d'Ivoire, and ended on October 7 in Rwanda, after seven events.

Skoda Fabia driver Manvir Singh Baryan won his second consecutive title. Baryan again won four of the seven rallies, taking victory in South Africa, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania. Baryan won the title by 56 points over Mitsubishi Lancer driver, Italian-Kenyan Piero Cannobio who had only two top-three finishes amongst ARC competitors. Baryan's second title was the fourth consecutive title won by Kenyan drivers.

Event calendar and results

There were seven rallies in the 2018 African Rally Championship. The only change from the 2017 schedule was the previously season-ending Zambia International Motor Rally moved from October to June, becoming the fourth round of the championship:

RoundRally namePodium finishersStatistics
RankDriverCarTimeStagesLengthStartersFinishers
1 Rallye Bandama - Côte d'Ivoire
(23–25 February)[1]
1 Gary ChaynesMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:20:59.912231.25 km3415
2 Jeremie WarniaYamaha YXZ 1000R2:28:07.2
3 Stéphane PeterhanselYamaha YXZ 1000R2:30:28.3
2 Safari Rally
(16–18 March)[2]
1 Carl TundoMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X1:55:05.89187.61 km3513
2 Baldev ChagerMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:04:34.2
3 Jas MangatMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:05:27.3
3 York Rally
(19–21 April)[3]
1 Manvir Singh BaryanŠkoda Fabia R52:47:34.915220.50 km3017
2 Guy BotterillToyota Etios R22:50:57.9
3 Matthew Vacy-LyleToyota Etios R22:56:16.6
4 Gomes Zambia International Rally
(22–24 June)[4]
1 Manvir Singh BaryanŠkoda Fabia R52:38:2616218.54 km2314
2 Muna Singh, Jr.Subaru Impreza STi N142:43:47
3 Ahmed HuwelFord Fiesta Proto2:46:07
5 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
(20–22 July)[5]
1 Manvir Singh BaryanŠkoda Fabia R52:26:03.510210.98 km4622
2 Ronald SebuguziMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:30:11.6
3 Jas MangatMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:37:05.1
6 Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania
(31 August–2 September)[6]
1 Manvir Singh BaryanŠkoda Fabia R51:42:168207.28 km2715
2 Randeep Singh BirdiMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX1:48:49
3 Kleevan GomesMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX1:53:25
7 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
(5–7 October)[7]
1 Giancarlo DaviteMitsubishi Lancer Evolution X2:00:07.011178.60 km1610
2 Rudy CantanhedeMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX2:02:14.1
3 Jean-Claude GakwayaSubaru Impreza STi N112:12:16.0

Championship standings

The 2018 African Rally Championship points are as follows:[8]

DriverVehicle
BAN

SAF

YOR

ZAM

PoA

TAN

RMG
Total
1 Manvir Singh BaryanŠkoda Fabia R5Ret1111100
2 Piero CannobioMitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
213Ret5Ret344

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 44. Rallye Bandama - Côte d'Ivoire 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 26 February 2018. 17 January 2019.
  2. Web site: 66. Safari Rally 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 20 March 2018. 17 January 2019.
  3. Web site: 27. York Rally 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 23 April 2018. 17 January 2019.
  4. Web site: Gomes Zambia International Rally 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 26 June 2018. 17 January 2019.
  5. Web site: 22. Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 24 July 2018. 17 January 2019.
  6. Web site: 17. Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 7 September 2018. 17 January 2019.
  7. Web site: Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2018. EWRC-Results.com. EWRC-Results. 10 October 2018. 17 January 2019.
  8. Web site: Classifications Season 2018. fia.com. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 January 2019.