Elfyn Evans Takes Lead as Rivals Struggle in Safari Rally Kenya

Elfyn Evans strategically took the lead in the Safari Rally Kenya, benefiting from his enemies’ misfortunes. Rovanpera and Tanak faced setbacks with spins and mechanical issues, while Neuville was penalized, impacting their standings. Evans’s cautious approach paid off, leading to a 7.7-second advantage over Rovanpera, with more challenging stages ahead.

Elfyn Evans, the championship leader, took a cautious approach during the grueling second day of the Safari Rally Kenya. He managed to seize the lead in the competition as his rivals faced various setbacks, including spins, penalties, and mechanical failures. Although Evans was not the fastest driver across the eight stages, he finished the day ahead of his Toyota teammate, Kalle Rovanpera, by 7.7 seconds after Rovanpera experienced a troublesome spin.

Ott Tanak, who led the rally with a sizable margin of 46.1 seconds at one point, fell to third place due to mechanical issues. Defending champion Thierry Neuville faced significant penalties, concluding the day in fourth position. Evans acknowledged the tough conditions, stating, “It’s been a difficult day and we’ve erred on the side of caution.”

Rovanpera’s difficulties began on the fourth stage when he spun on a narrow section, costing him valuable time. Tanak was initially strong, winning the lengthy opening stage and three of the next five, but suffered a driveshaft failure that limited him to rear-wheel drive during crucial stages, ultimately leading to significant time loss.

Neuville’s day began poorly with a one-minute penalty for tardiness due to a gearbox change, followed by additional penalties for needing a jump start and being late for the sixth stage. The rally’s Saturday session will feature six stages, totaling 146.50 kilometers of racing.

In summary, Elfyn Evans capitalized on the challenges faced by his competitors on day two of the Safari Rally Kenya, emerging as the leader despite not having the fastest times. Rivals such as Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak encountered spins and mechanical issues, while Thierry Neuville struggled with penalties. The race continues on Saturday with more stages ahead, challenging the drivers further.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr