Elfyn Evans Dominates Safari Rally Kenya, Strengthens WRC Lead

Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his WRC lead to 36 points. He secured back-to-back victories, finishing over a minute ahead of Ott Tanak, who faced a driveshaft failure. Evans’ total points in the championship are now 88, while Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak follow with 52 and 49 points respectively. The next rally will be the Rally Islas Canarias.

Elfyn Evans triumphed at the recently concluded Safari Rally Kenya, further solidifying his lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC) standings, now extended to 36 points after three rounds. The 36-year-old Welsh competitor marked a significant milestone by achieving consecutive victories for the first time, finishing ahead of Estonian driver Ott Tanak by more than a minute.

During the rally, Tanak was in a leading position until he experienced a driveshaft failure on Friday. Meanwhile, Evans’ Toyota teammate Kalle Rovanpera faced a challenging race filled with issues, ultimately forcing his retirement. “A huge well done to the team, they did a great job and I’m proud to be a very small part of Toyota’s history at this special rally,” expressed Evans, acknowledging the support from his team and the warm reception from the Kenyan crowd.

Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin initiated the rally with a strong start, winning the opening stage on Thursday and two stages on Saturday, allowing them to establish a lead of nearly two minutes by Sunday. Opting for a conservative strategy owing to the rally’s demanding nature, the team maintained their lead and completed the race with a total time of 4 hours, 20 minutes, and 3.8 seconds. They secured a further 25 points for their victory, raising Evans’ total to 88 points in the championship ranking.

Following the Kenyan rally, Thierry Neuville, last year’s champion, advanced to second in the standings with 52 points, while Tanak’s performance secured him third place with 49 points. Northern Ireland’s Josh McErlean encountered difficulties this race, losing 29 minutes due to a broken steering arm but nonetheless managed to achieve his best Rally1 performance by finishing 11th and securing one Super Sunday point.

The next event on the WRC calendar is the Rally Islas Canarias, scheduled to take place from April 24 to April 27, with a total of 14 races planned for the season. Evans’ success in Kenya marks a commendable achievement for both him and the Toyota Racing team, illustrating their competitive edge in the championship thus far.

In conclusion, Elfyn Evans’ victory at the Safari Rally Kenya significantly enhances his standing in the WRC, bringing his total points to 88 and reinforcing his position as a top contender. The completion of the rally showcased Evans’ strategic driving alongside commendable teamwork. The upcoming Rally Islas Canarias presents another opportunity for competitors to make their mark in this intense season of the WRC.

Original Source: www.bbc.com