Elfyn Evans Triumphs at Safari Rally Kenya, Extends WRC Lead

Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, his second consecutive victory, extending his championship lead to 36 points over defending champion Thierry Neuville. Kalle Rovanpera faced retirement due to mechanical issues. Evans completed the race with a controlled performance, and fourth-placed Takamoto Katsuta encountered challenges but managed to score points. The next championship event is the Rally of the Canary Islands.

Welsh driver Elfyn Evans achieved a significant milestone by securing victory at the Safari Rally Kenya, thereby extending his lead in the World Rally Championship. This win marks his second consecutive triumph, following a prior victory in Sweden. With three rounds completed in the championship, Evans currently holds a robust 36-point advantage over the defending champion, Thierry Neuville, while two-time champion Kalle Rovanpera trails by 57 points due to his retirement from the race on Sunday due to electrical issues.

Evans maintained a steady performance throughout the demanding rally, successfully navigating its challenges and completing the final special stage with a 1 minute and 9 seconds lead over his nearest competitor, Ott Tanak from Hyundai. Neuville finished in third place, 3 minutes and 32 seconds behind Evans. Expressing his gratitude, Evans stated, “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.”

In the race, Finnish driver Sami Pajari secured fourth place, followed by his teammate Takamoto Katsuta, who experienced difficulties after rolling his Toyota during the final stage. With the assistance of spectators, Katsuta was able to upright the vehicle, allowing him to finish and earn valuable points. He expressed his regret, saying, “I don’t know what happened. Just sorry for the team, nothing else.”

The next event in the World Rally Championship calendar is scheduled for the end of April, featuring the Rally of the Canary Islands.

In summary, Elfyn Evans solidified his status in the World Rally Championship by winning the Safari Rally Kenya, marking his second consecutive victory. With a 36-point lead over second-placed Thierry Neuville, the competition remains tight as the season progresses. Evans’ performance exemplified skill and control, while his team’s support played a key role in this achievement. The upcoming Rally of the Canary Islands will provide another opportunity for rally drivers to compete and showcase their abilities.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr