Elfyn Evans Triumphs at Safari Rally Kenya, Increasing Championship Lead
Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his championship lead to 36 points, a record after three rounds. He completed the race in over four hours, with his teammate Scott Martin. Hyundai’s Ott Tanak placed second, and Thierry Neuville came third. Toyota leads the manufacturers’ championship as well. Neuville noted reliability issues, although two Hyundais made the podium.
Elfyn Evans of Toyota secured victory at the Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday, thereby expanding his lead in the World Rally Championship to 36 points, which marks a record advantage for any driver after the first three rounds. Evans and his co-driver, Scott Martin, completed the rally in just over four hours and twenty minutes, with Hyundai’s Ott Tanak finishing second and his teammate, Thierry Neuville, taking third place, over a minute later.
In a post-race interview, Elfyn Evans expressed his gratitude, stating, “Sorry, I can’t hear anything… but I want to say thank you to everyone in Kenya for a very warm welcome, an amazing rally.” Surrounded by the Maasai tribe’s songs and dances, he commended his team’s efforts, declaring, “I have to say a huge well done to the team. They did an amazing job and I’m proud to be a very small part of the history of Toyota and this special rally.”
This victory marks Evans’s second win in three races this season, following his success in Sweden. With a total of 88 points, he now leads Neuville, who has 52 points, and Tanak, with 49 points. Additionally, Toyota is leading the manufacturers’ championship with 158 points compared to Hyundai’s 122.
Tanak acknowledged the challenges faced during the rally, noting, “It was an extremely demanding safari this weekend. We had everything from thunderstorms to very rocky, slow and super hot sections.” Despite facing mechanical issues on the first day, he remained positive, stating, “It was a very positive weekend, we scored some good points for the team, they did a great job.”
Neuville highlighted the achievement of having two Hyundais on the podium but expressed dissatisfaction about the reliability issues faced, mentioning a puncture and a driveshaft failure. He remarked, “But overall having two cars on the podium showed neither of the teams gave up. We fought hard.”
Elfyn Evans’s victory in Kenya significantly enhances his dominance in the World Rally Championship, reflecting not only his skill but also the competence of the Toyota team. The race presented numerous challenges, yet both Evans and Tanak displayed resilience. Despite some setbacks, Neuville’s comments suggest a commitment to improvement in future events as competitors continue to strive for excellence in the series.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
