African Rally Championship

Summary

The African Rally Championship (ARC) is an international automobile rally championship run under the auspices of the FIA. The championship was first held in 1981 and won by Shekhar Mehta. The most successful driver in the championship's history is Zambian driver Satwant Singh with eight championships. The reigning 2023 champions are Kenyans Karan Patel and Navigator Tauseef Khan.

African Rally Championship
CategoryGroup N
R5/Rally2
CountryAfrica
Inaugural season1981
Drivers' championKenya Karan Patel
Makes' championFord
Official websiteOfficial site
Current season
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4 at the 2021 Equator Rally Kenya

The championship has been held widely across the African continent, including the island of Madagascar, although few events are held in or north of the Sahara. The championship has frequently incorporated World Rally Championship events, particularly Africa's two most popular rallies, the Safari Rally in Kenya and the Ivory Coast Rally in Côte d'Ivoire. It is most popular in former British colonies.

Presently, the African rally championship events are held in Burundi, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The event in Côte d'Ivoire was left off the 2024 calendar due to a very low cross-border entry. This is mostly due to the cost and the vast distances competitors have to travel to attend the event. Logistical challenges are also adding a huge cost to being able to participate.

Events edit

Champions edit

Season Driver Car
1981   Shekhar Mehta Nissan
1982   Walter Röhrl Opel
1983   Alain Ambrosino Peugeot
1984   David Horsey Peugeot
1985   Luc Requile Opel/Mitsubishi
1986   Alain Ambrosino Nissan
1987   Alain Ambrosino Nissan
1988   Satwant Singh Toyota
1989   Satwant Singh Volkswagen
1990   Walter Costa Peugeot
1991   Satwant Singh Toyota
1992   Aldo Riva Audi
1993   Satwant Singh Toyota
1994   Abe Smit Audi
1995   Fritz Flachberger Ford
1996   Satwant Singh Subaru
1997   Satwant Singh Subaru
1998   Satwant Singh Subaru
1999   Charles Muhangi Subaru
2000   Satwant Singh Subaru
2001   Schalk Burger Subaru
2002   John Gemmel Subaru
2003   Fernando Rueda Mitsubishi
2004   Muna Singh Subaru
2005   Muna Singh Subaru
2006   Patrick Emontspool Subaru
2007   Conrad Rautenbach Subaru
2008   Hideaki Miyoshi Mitsubishi
2009   James Whyte Subaru
2010   James Whyte Subaru
2011   Conrad Rautenbach Subaru
2012   Mohamed Essa Subaru
2013   Jassy Singh Subaru
2014   Gary Chaynes Mitsubishi
2015   Jaspreet Singh Chatthe Mitsubishi
2016   Don Smith Subaru
2017   Manvir Baryan Škoda
2018   Manvir Baryan Škoda
2019   Manvir Baryan Škoda
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Carl "Flash" Tundo Volkswagen Polo
2022   Leeroy Gomes Ford
2023   Karan Patel Ford

References edit

External links edit

  • Official website