Elfyn Evans Achieves Historic Win at Safari Rally Kenya, Extending WRC Lead
Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, enhancing his lead in the WRC with a record points advantage after three rounds. This marks his second win of the season, with significant challenges faced during the event. Competitors Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville rounded out the podium, while the next event is set in the Canary Islands.
Elfyn Evans secured a remarkable victory at the Safari Rally Kenya, strengthening his position in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Driving the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, alongside co-driver Scott Martin, he finished ahead of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak by a significant margin of 1 minute and 9.9 seconds, marking his second win of the season. With this victory, Evans has established the largest championship lead in WRC history after three rounds, boasting a 36-point advantage over his competitors.
The Safari Rally involved a challenging four-day course beginning in Nairobi, traversing Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, characterized by difficult terrains such as treacherous ruts, rocks, and deep fesh-fesh dust, compounded by heavy rains. Evans seized the lead late on Friday after Tanak experienced a mechanical setback, maintaining his dominance despite facing tire deflations and a minor electrical issue during the final leg.
Evans’ triumph marks him as only the third British driver to win the Safari Rally, joining the ranks of eminent WRC champions Colin McRae and Richard Burns. Despite Toyota’s impressive history with 13 Safari Rally victories, this was the first time they did not achieve multiple podium finishes. Tanak and reigning WRC champion Thierry Neuville secured second and third places, respectively, despite their own difficulties during the event.
Other notable performances included Kalle Rovanpera’s unexpected drop from second to fifth due to rear suspension issues, and a commendable effort from Takamoto Katsuta, who, after facing multiple challenges, finished in fifth. Gregoire Munster was the top M-Sport Ford driver, finishing sixth despite personal loss, while Gus Greensmith celebrated a significant win in WRC2 on his debut of the season.
The next event on the WRC calendar is the Rally Islas Canarias, set for April 24-27, which promises a different challenge as it moves to the Canary Islands.
Elfyn Evans’ victory at the Safari Rally Kenya not only solidifies his lead in the WRC drivers’ standings but also marks a historic moment in the championship’s history with a record-setting points lead. The event was defined by its rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions, which presented challenges that Evans successfully navigated. The performance of his competitors highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport, while the upcoming Rally Islas Canarias presents an exciting new challenge for the teams.
Original Source: racer.com
