Elfyn Evans Secures Victory at Safari Rally Kenya, Expands Championship Lead
Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his Championship lead to 36 points. He completed the race in just over four hours and 20 minutes, outperforming Hyundai’s Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville. This victory is Evans’s second of the season, placing him at 88 points, while Toyota leads the manufacturers’ standings.
Elfyn Evans of Toyota emerged victorious at the Safari Rally Kenya, further solidifying his lead in the World Rally Championship with a record 36-point margin after three rounds. He and co-driver Scott Martin completed the rally in a time exceeding four hours and 20 minutes, finishing ahead of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, who secured second place, followed by teammate Thierry Neuville in third.
In a post-race interview, 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.” He acknowledged his team’s efforts, remarking on their extraordinary performance and his pride in being part of Toyota’s history.
This win marks Evans’s second victory of the season, having previously finished as the runner-up in Monte Carlo and won in Sweden. As it stands, Evans leads the championship with 88 points, well ahead of Neuville at 52 and Tanak at 49. Toyota also claims the manufacturers’ championship lead with 158 points compared to Hyundai’s 122.
Tanak highlighted the challenging nature of the rally, describing the variety of weather and trail conditions experienced, stating, “It was an extremely demanding safari this weekend.” He acknowledged the mechanical challenges faced but praised his team’s overall performance, stating, “We were able to bring it back together and keep it in one piece.”
Neuville acknowledged Hyundai’s podium success but expressed dissatisfaction due to reliability issues that plagued their performance. He noted, “Reliability was an issue again this weekend, unfortunately,” referring to his puncture and driveshaft troubles. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic, emphasizing the resilience of both teams during the competition.
Elfyn Evans’s triumph in the Safari Rally Kenya underscores his dominance in the current World Rally Championship season, complemented by strong team performance from Toyota. While the journey presented numerous challenges, both Evans and Tanak’s contributions were pivotal. Despite setbacks, Hyundai’s consistent presence on the podium indicates a competitive determination moving forward in the series.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
