Kankkunen Celebrates Toyota’s Historic Safari Rally Win in Kenya

Juha Kankkunen substituted for Jari-Matti Latvala and celebrated Toyota’s 100th WRC start with a victory at the Safari Rally, achieved by Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin. Kankkunen, a three-time Safari winner in the past, expressed profound emotions regarding this achievement while noting the rally’s challenging nature, claiming it was the toughest modern iteration he has witnessed.

Kankkunen experienced a poignant moment as he stood in for Jari-Matti Latvala during Toyota’s fifth consecutive Safari Rally victory, achieved by Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin. This triumph also marked a significant achievement for Toyota, celebrating their 100th start in the World Rally Championship (WRC) since rejoining the competition in 2017.

Having secured three Safari wins in the 1980s and 1990s, Kankkunen expressed deep emotion at this milestone. “I’m really happy that we managed to win the 100th WRC rally for the team and that I could celebrate another Toyota win on the Safari Rally, 40 years after my first victory here,” he stated, adding that the moment brought tears to his eyes.

Despite being shorter than the original Safari rallies of Kankkunen’s era, he acknowledged the event’s challenges. He mentioned, “Among the modern-day, shorter Safari rallies, this was absolutely the toughest one I have seen.” He noted a sense of increased nervousness while following the event, a stark contrast to his days as a driver. He added, “There were a lot of things happening all the time, so I was a lot more nervous following it than I ever was when I was driving myself.”

Kankkunen also reflected on some unforeseen difficulties faced during the rally, particularly on the final day. Nonetheless, he praised the team for their perseverance. He concluded, “We managed to win this rally for Toyota once again. It was a really good job from Elfyn and Scott, who have made a fantastic start to the season.”

In conclusion, Juha Kankkunen’s emotional return to a victorious Safari Rally, leading to Toyota’s 100th WRC start, underscores both the legacy of his past triumphs and the team’s current successes. Despite challenges, the dedication of Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin solidified their strong performance in this arduous event. Kankkunen’s reflections highlight the evolving nature of the rally while celebrating an impressive milestone for Toyota.

Original Source: www.wrc.com