Naivasha,Kenya
Rally driver Elfyn Evans extended his lead at the top of the World Rally Championship’s (WRC) standings with a dominant victory at the gruelling Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday. The Toyota driver, who had previously won the last round in Sweden, now holds a commanding 36-point lead over defending champion Thierry Neuville after three of the 14 scheduled rounds.
The Safari Rally, known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable conditions, proved to be a test of endurance for many competitors. Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera was forced to retire on Sunday morning due to an electrical issue with his Toyota, putting a dent in his championship hopes. He now sits 57 points behind Evans.
Evans, who has finished as runner-up in the WRC championship on four occasions, showcased his skill and composure by driving a controlled race and avoiding the treacherous hazards of the Safari Rally. He secured victory with a 1 minute 9-second lead over Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, while Tänak’s teammate Neuville finished third, trailing by 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
Safari Rally Kenya result
1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 4 hours 20 minutes 3.8 seconds
2. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, +1min 09.9secs
3. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, +3mins 32.0secs
4. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, +7mins 18.7secs
5. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, +8mins 15.7secs
30. Yasin NASSER (Uganda) FORD Fiesta Mk II
With the Safari Rally now concluded, the WRC season moves on to the next challenge. The next round of the championship will take place at the end of April with the Rally of the Canary Islands, where Evans will look to extend his impressive lead at the top of the standings.
Photo: WRC Media
