Elfyn Evans Extends His Lead in Challenging Kenya Safari Rally

Elfyn Evans leads the Safari Rally Kenya by nearly two minutes ahead of Ott Tanak as he seeks his first victory. Thierry Neuville stands in third but trails significantly, while Kalle Rovanpera drops to fifth due to mechanical problems. The final day includes five stages remaining.

Elfyn Evans, leading the championship for Toyota, is poised to secure his first Safari Rally victory, entering the final day with a significant lead of nearly two minutes over Hyundai’s Ott Tanak. Originally only 7.7 seconds ahead of teammate Kalle Rovanpera, Evans excelled by winning the first two stages, ultimately finishing 1 minute and 57.4 seconds in front of Tanak.

Evans expressed a cautious optimism about his lead, stating, “It’s definitely been a proper Safari so far. Two minutes: Normally you would say that guarantees you a win but not here. On a rally like Kenya, you have to weigh up the risk factor.”

Thierry Neuville, Hyundai’s reigning champion, currently occupies third place, trailing the leader by over four and a half minutes after facing punishing conditions, including punctures and misted windscreens. He acknowledged the challenge, saying, “I wasn’t feeling well at all after a bad night and struggled to keep my concentration and do my job, but we kept fighting and we were rewarded with third place overnight.”

Kalle Rovanpera, who had been a contender, fell from grace after experiencing a front-right tyre delamination, followed by a front-left puncture. Consequently, he struggled with a damaged rear suspension during the rainy afternoon, causing his drop to fifth place overall. The rally concludes on Sunday with five additional stages pending completion.

In conclusion, Elfyn Evans has established a commanding lead in the Safari Rally Kenya, yet concerns about the nature of the rally persist, emphasizing that a two-minute advantage does not ensure victory. While Thierry Neuville manages to recover to third place despite struggles, Kalle Rovanpera’s earlier aspirations have diminished due to mechanical issues. The final day promises further challenges with five remaining stages yet to unfold.

Original Source: theprint.in