Elfyn Evans Dominates Safari Rally Kenya, Extends WRC Lead

Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his WRC lead to 36 points with back-to-back victories. He finished over a minute ahead of Ott Tanak, who faced technical issues. Evans is now leading the championship with 88 points, followed by Neuville and Tanak. Josh McErlean, in his rookie season, secured an 11th place finish, contributing to his overall points.

Elfyn Evans secured victory at the Safari Rally Kenya, enhancing his lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC) to 36 points. The 36-year-old Welsh driver achieved his first consecutive wins, finishing over a minute ahead of Estonian rival, Ott Tanak. Tanak, who had led earlier in the race, faced technical difficulties with a broken driveshaft, whereas Evans’ teammate Kalle Rovanpera retired due to multiple issues.

Evans expressed gratitude for his team’s effort, 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 local people for their warm welcome during the event.

Having started strong by winning the opening stage and two on Saturday, Evans and co-driver Scott Martin entered Sunday with nearly a two-minute lead. Despite this, they adopted a cautious strategy for the final stages, ultimately conceding 47 seconds. Nonetheless, they finished the rally 1 minute 9.9 seconds ahead of Tanak, while Thierry Neuville finished 2 minutes 22 seconds behind.

Even after collecting only two points on Sunday, Evans’ rally victory awarded him 25 points, raising his total to 88 following a win in Sweden and a second-place finish in Monte Carlo. Neuville is now second with 52 points, and Tanak is in third with 49.

In the meantime, Northern Ireland’s Josh McErlean faced challenges in his first WRC season, losing significant time after a mechanical failure but rebounded to post a strong time on stage 15, finishing 11th overall and earning a Super Sunday point.

The next event on the 14-race WRC calendar is the Rally Islas Canarias, scheduled for April 24-27.

Evans’ impressive win at the Safari Rally Kenya not only solidified his status in the WRC but also showcased strategic racing and resilience amidst challenges. His consecutive victories illustrate his growing dominance in the championship, with Neuville and Tanak striving to catch up. McErlean’s performance marks a notable journey in his rookie season. The upcoming Rally Islas Canarias will be critical for all competitors as the season progresses.

Original Source: www.bbc.com