Elfyn Evans Triumphs at Safari Rally Kenya, Extends WRC Lead

Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his WRC lead to 36 points. He finished over a minute ahead of Ott Tanak, who encountered mechanical issues. Despite some challenges, Evans maintained a solid strategy, concluding with 88 total points this season. Upcoming events include the Rally Islas Canarias in April.

Elfyn Evans secured a victory at the Safari Rally Kenya, thus extending his overall lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC) to 36 points. The 36-year-old Welshman celebrated back-to-back wins for the first time, finishing over a minute ahead of Estonian driver Ott Tanak. Despite leading early in the race, Tanak suffered a setback due to a broken driveshaft, while Evans’ teammate Kalle Rovanpera encountered issues that forced his retirement.

Evans expressed gratitude towards his team, stating, “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.” He also thanked the Kenyan people for their hospitality throughout the event.

After triumphing in the initial stage and winning two stages on Saturday, Evans and co-driver Scott Martin carried nearly a two-minute lead into Sunday. With the challenging characteristics of the rally in mind, they opted for a cautious approach during the final five stages, ultimately finishing 1 minute and 9.9 seconds ahead of Tanak, with Thierry Neuville over two minutes awaiting behind.

Despite losing time on the final day, Evans amassed 25 points for his winning performance, elevating his season total to 88 points after a prior victory in Sweden and a second-place finish at the Rallye Monte Carlo. Last year’s champion, Neuville, has ascended to second place in the standings with 52 points, while Tanak is now third with 49 points.

In his debut WRC season, Northern Ireland’s Josh McErlean experienced zarówno challenges and successes. After losing considerable time due to a mechanical failure, he later showcased a strong performance, achieving the second-best time on stage 15, concluding the rally in 11th place and accumulating one Super Sunday point.

The next event on the WRC calendar, the Rally Islas Canarias, will take place from April 24 to April 27, setting the stage for continued competition among the drivers.

In conclusion, Elfyn Evans demonstrated exceptional skill at the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his WRC lead significantly. His strategic approach, combined with commendable teamwork, resulted in a noteworthy victory. The Dynamic WRC standings illustrate the ongoing competition, particularly between Evans, Neuville, and Tanak. Meanwhile, emerging driver Josh McErlean’s performance indicates promising potential for his future endeavors. The next rally in the series is anticipated with great interest.

Original Source: www.bbc.com