Elfyn Evans Extends Lead in Safari Rally Kenya Amid Challenging Conditions

Elfyn Evans leads the Safari Rally Kenya with a nearly two-minute advantage over Ott Tanak. He won the first two stages and remains poised for his first victory, despite the unpredictable rally conditions. Kalle Rovanpera dropped to fifth due to several mishaps, while Thierry Neuville holds third place, battling extreme weather conditions.

Elfyn Evans, the championship leader from Toyota, heads into the final day of the Safari Rally Kenya with a significant lead of nearly two minutes over Hyundai’s Ott Tanak. On Saturday, Evans began the day just 7.7 seconds ahead of teammate Kalle Rovanpera but triumphed in the first two stages, ultimately finishing 1 minute and 57.4 seconds ahead of Tanak. If he navigates the final stages safely, Evans is on course for his first Safari victory.

Evans commented on the race, 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.” In third place is Hyundai’s reigning champion Thierry Neuville, who is over four and a half minutes behind the leader after facing several punctures and visibility issues due to misted windscreens. Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta is currently in fourth place.

Neuville remarked on his performance during the day, 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. Those were some extreme conditions this afternoon — I haven’t seen anything like it in my career. We’ve had some rough Safari Rally Kenyas in the past, but this is the roughest so far.”

Kalle Rovanpera saw his chances of victory diminish after experiencing a front-right tyre delamination followed by a front-left puncture. Furthermore, the rain in the afternoon led to rear suspension damage, resulting in him dropping to fifth position overall. The final day of the rally promises to include five more challenging stages.

In conclusion, Elfyn Evans leads the Safari Rally Kenya by nearly two minutes, positioning him for a potential victory. His teammate Kalle Rovanpera’s chances diminished due to technical difficulties, while Thierry Neuville managed to maintain third place despite difficult conditions. As the rally proceeds into its final stages, the unpredictable terrain and weather will likely influence the outcomes for the competitors.

Original Source: theprint.in