2016 African Rally Championship

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

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The 2016 African Rally Championship was as follows:

Round Rally name Podium finishers Statistics
Rank Driver Car Time Stages Length Starters Finishers
1   Rallye Bandama - Côte d'Ivoire
(11–13 February)[1]
1   Gary Chaynes Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2:24:44.7 12 238.31 km 27 14
2   Marc Molinié Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII 2:36:49.1
3   Loïc Malherbe Subaru Impreza STi N10 2:43:45.8
2   Sasol Rally South Africa
(22–23 April)[2]
1   Leeroy Poulter Toyota Yaris S2000 2:30:02.0 14 221.55 km 27 19
2   Giniel de Villiers Toyota Yaris S2000 2:32:24.7
3   Guy Botterill Toyota Etios R2 2:43:41.7
3   Zambia International Rally
(27–29 May)[3]
1   Jassy Singh Subaru Impreza STi N14 2:14:50 29 19
2   Muna Singh, Jr. Subaru Impreza STi N14 2:15:01
3   Zubair Essa Subaru Impreza STi N16 2:21:51
4   Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania
(9–10 July)[4]
1   Randeep Singh Birdi Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2:15:25 248.71 km 26 12
2   Jamil Khan Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 2:17:36
3   Gerard Miller Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2:17:39
5   Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
(12–14 August)[5]
1   Valery Bukera Subaru Impreza STi N12 1:48:01 14 201.06 km 23 13
2   Muna Singh, Jr. Subaru Impreza STi N14 1:49:06
3   Hassan Alwi Subaru Impreza STi N14 1:54:43
6   V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
(16–18 September)[6]
1   Hassan Alwi Subaru Impreza STi N14 2:41:03.5 9 232.76 km 44 20
2   Arthur Blick Subaru Impreza STi N10 2:41:53.6
3   Christakis Fitidis Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 2:48:58.0
7   Rallye International de Madagascar
(11–13 November)[7]
1   Tahina Razafinjoelina Subaru Impreza STi N10 3:13:28 14 193.75 km 34 9
2   Herivonjy Solofonirina Foton Tunland 3:20:02
3   Tovo Rakotojohary Renault Clio 16S 3:24:43

Championship standings

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The 2016 African Rally Championship points are as follows:

Pos. Driver Vehicle  
BAN
 
RSA
 
ZAM
 
TAN
 
RMG
 
PoA
 
MAD
Total
1   Don Smith Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 2 2 2 1 2 2 115
2   Muna Singh, Jr. Subaru Impreza STi N14 1 1 Ret 1 Ret 75
3   Ismail Shermohamed Toyota Run-X
Ford Fiesta R2
4 Ret 3 1 55
4   Gary Chaynes Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 1 25
5   Abdul Ssempebwa Subaru Impreza WRX STi 4 Ret 12
Key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Did not finish (Ret)
Black Excluded (EX)
Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Cancelled (C)
Blank Withdrew entry from
the event (WD)

References

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