Elfyn Evans Claims Victory in Rally Kenya; Ott Tänak Secures First Podium

Elfyn Evans won Rally Kenya, marking his second consecutive victory, with Ott Tänak finishing second, securing his first podium of the season. Evans maintained a strong lead following Tänak’s driveshaft failure and Rovanperä’s suspension problems. The WRC standings place Evans first with 88 points, ahead of Neuville and Tänak. The next round will be held in the Canary Islands from April 24-27.

Elfyn Evans of Toyota achieved his second consecutive victory by winning the third round of the rally season in Kenya. Estonian driver Ott Tänak, representing Hyundai, secured his first podium of the season with a second-place finish, trailing Evans by one minute and 9.9 seconds. Tänak had an outstanding start, leading the competition by winning five of the first eight stages, but faced adversity when a driveshaft issue forced him to drop from first to third during the ninth stage.

Despite losing his lead, Tänak demonstrated strategic driving over the weekend, ascending back to second place after Kalle Rovanperä of Toyota encountered suspension failure on Saturday. With this misfortune of his competitor, Tänak focused on completing the rally responsibly, while Evan maintained a significant lead. The reigning champion Thierry Neuville finished third, though time penalties prevented him from contending for victory.

Adrien Fourmaux, another Hyundai driver, shone on Sunday by winning the stage, thereby receiving five bonus points. Tänak earned three additional points for his stage finish. In the power stage, Fourmaux clocked the fastest time, followed closely by Neuville and Tänak. The WRC2 category saw Gus Greensmith take the win, finishing seventh overall, followed by Jan Solans and Fabrizio Zaldivar.

In the World Rally Championship standings, Evans remains in the lead with 88 points, while Neuville and Tänak hold the second and third places with 52 and 49 points, respectively. Toyota leads the manufacturers’ standings with 158 points ahead of Hyundai at 122 points. The next round of the championship is scheduled to take place in the Canary Islands from April 24 to 27.

Drivers’ standings reflect Evans as the leader with 88 points, followed by Neuville and Tänak, illustrating the competitive nature of the ongoing rally season with each stage fueling their rankings. The upcoming rounds promise to deliver more thrilling performances and challenges for the drivers.

In summary, Elfyn Evans triumphed in Rally Kenya, marking his second consecutive win while Ott Tänak achieved his first podium of the season with a solid second place. The rally was shaped by mechanical challenges and competitive strategies, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport. With Evans leading the WRC standings, the forthcoming rounds will be critical in determining the season’s champions as the drivers aim to build on their performances.

Original Source: news.err.ee