Elfyn Evans of Toyota won the Safari Rally in Kenya, extending his lead in the World Rally Championship to 36 points, a record for after three rounds. He finished in over four hours, with Hyundai’s Tanak and Neuville in second and third place. Despite challenges, both teams demonstrated resilience in the competition.
Elfyn Evans of Toyota achieved a remarkable victory at the Safari Rally in Kenya on Sunday, widening his lead in the World Rally Championship to 36 points, marking a record for the leading driver after three rounds. Evans, alongside co-driver Scott Martin, completed the rally in just over four hours and 20 minutes, while Hyundai’s Ott Tanak and defending champion Thierry Neuville secured second and third places, respectively, with Tanak finishing more than a minute behind Evans.
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.” Surrounded by the Maasai tribe, he thanked his team for their efforts, stating, “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 marks Evans’s second win out of three races this season, following his recent triumph in Sweden. With a total of 88 points, Evans leads Neuville at 52 points and Tanak at 49 points. Toyota also leads the manufacturers’ championship, tallying 158 points compared to Hyundai’s 122 points.
Tanak commented on the challenges faced during the rally, saying, “It was an extremely demanding safari this weekend. We had everything from thunderstorms to very rocky, slow and super hot sections.” Despite experiencing mechanical issues on the first day, he noted, “It was a very positive weekend, we scored some good points for the team, they did a great job.”
Neuville acknowledged the success in having two Hyundais on the podium but expressed his dissatisfaction with the reliability issues faced. He remarked, “Reliability was an issue again this weekend, unfortunately,” after enduring a puncture and driveshaft failure. Nonetheless, he concluded, “having two cars on the podium showed neither of the teams gave up. We fought hard.”
Elfyn Evans’s victory at the Safari Rally not only exemplifies his skill as a driver but also strengthens Toyota’s position in the championship standings. While both Tanak and Neuville highlighted the race’s demanding conditions and their own challenges, their collaboration resulted in Hyundai securing a podium finish. The race underscored the inherent competitive spirit of the teams involved, promising an exciting season ahead.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
