Elfyn Evans Triumphs at Safari Rally Kenya, Expands Championship Lead

Elfyn Evans won the Safari Rally Kenya, extending his championship lead to 36 points. He completed the rally in over four hours and 20 minutes, with Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville finishing second and third, respectively. This marks Evans’s second win this season, putting him at 88 points. Toyota leads the manufacturers’ championship, while Hyundai’s performance shows potential despite reliability issues.

Elfyn Evans, driving for Toyota, secured victory at the Safari Rally in Kenya on Sunday, thus amplifying his lead in the World Rally Championship to a remarkable 36 points after just three rounds. He and his co-driver, Scott Martin, completed the rally in approximately four hours and 20 minutes. The runner-up position was claimed by Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, who finished over a minute behind, while fellow Hyundai teammate, Thierry Neuville, placed third.

In a post-race interview, Evans expressed his gratitude, stating, “Sorry, I can’t hear anything… but I want to say thank you to everyone in Kenya for a very warm welcome, an amazing rally.” He also praised his team, remarking, “I have to say a huge well done to the team. They did an amazing job and I’m proud to be a very small part of the history of Toyota and this special rally.”

This victory marked Evans’s second win out of three races this season and represents consecutive wins following his success in Sweden. With 88 points, he currently leads Thierry Neuville’s 52 points and Ott Tanak’s 49 points. Toyota has also taken the lead in the manufacturers’ championship, amassing 158 points compared to Hyundai’s 122.

Tanak described the challenging conditions during the rally, mentioning, “It was an extremely demanding safari this weekend. We had everything from thunderstorms to very rocky, slow and super hot sections.” Although he encountered mechanical issues, he remained optimistic, stating it was a positive weekend overall for his team.

Neuville highlighted the significance of having two Hyundais on the podium, despite expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome due to reliability issues. He reported a puncture and a driveshaft failure during the race but noted, “But overall having two cars on the podium showed neither of the teams gave up. We fought hard.”

Elfyn Evans’s victory at the Safari Rally Kenya not only heightened his leadership in the World Rally Championship but also underscored a successful performance for Toyota. Despite the mechanical challenges faced by competitors, the resilience demonstrated by the teams facilitated a competitive rally. The podium finishes for Hyundai signify progress, yet they highlight the ongoing reliability concerns that need addressing. Overall, this rally has proven to be critical in shaping the championship landscape.

Original Source: www.straitstimes.com