Elfyn Evans Wins Safari Rally Kenya, Extends WRC Lead

Elfyn Evans claimed victory at the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his WRC lead to 36 points. He achieved back-to-back wins with a controlled performance, finishing ahead of Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville. Kalle Rovanpera retired due to an electrical issue. Next up for the WRC is the Rally of the Canary Islands.

Elfyn Evans, a Welsh driver, dominated the Safari Rally Kenya, further extending his lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC). His victory marks consecutive wins, having triumphed previously in Sweden, as he currently possesses a 36-point advantage over reigning champion Thierry Neuville after three rounds of the 14-round series. Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera trails by 57 points following his retirement due to an electrical fault with his Toyota.

Evans executed a strategically sound race, steering clear of the numerous difficulties prevalent in the Safari Rally. He completed the event’s final special stage with a notable lead of 1 minute and 9 seconds over Ott Tanak of Hyundai, who secured the second position. Neuville finished third, 3 minutes and 32 seconds behind Evans.

“I’m proud to be a very small part of Toyota’s history at this special rally,” remarked Evans, commending his team’s efforts. In fourth place, Sami Pajari from Finland finished ahead of his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta, who encountered trouble when his car rolled during the last stage while fighting for extra points.

Despite the incident, Katsuta managed to finish the race thanks to assistance from spectators who helped right his car. “I don’t know what happened… Just sorry for the team, nothing else,” he stated. The next WRC event is scheduled for the end of April at the Rally of the Canary Islands.

Elfyn Evans solidified his lead in the WRC with a victory at the challenging Safari Rally Kenya. Following his win in Sweden, he now enjoys a significant lead in the championship standings, demonstrating his skill and strategic driving. The next event will see the drivers heading to the Canary Islands, where competition is expected to remain fierce.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr