Kankkunen oversaw Toyota’s fifth consecutive Safari Rally win in Kenya as Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin took the podium, marking Toyota’s 100th WRC start since 2017. Kankkunen expressed emotional sentiments about the victory and acknowledged the rally’s toughness, emphasizing the significance of the win for the team and the drivers.
Jari-Matti Latvala’s replacement, Kankkunen, witnessed Toyota’s fifth consecutive Safari Rally victory in Kenya, with Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin securing the championship title on Sunday. This remarkable achievement also signifies Toyota’s 100th WRC participation since reentering the series in 2017, commemorating a significant milestone for the team.
Kankkunen, who triumphed in the challenging African rally three times during the 1980s and 1990s, expressed his emotions regarding the victory. “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,” Kankkunen stated, adding that the moment brought tears to his eyes.
Despite the modern Safari Rally’s shorter format compared to Kankkunen’s driving era, it still posed significant challenges. He noted, “I was a lot more nervous following it than I ever was when I was driving myself.” He characterized this year’s rally as the most challenging of the modern shorter events.
Kankkunen acknowledged some misfortunes experienced by the team, particularly on the final day, but emphasized the victory’s importance. “The most important thing is that 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,” he concluded.
The Kankkunen-led triumph at the Safari Rally signifies both a historic milestone for Toyota and an emotional full-circle moment for the legendary driver. Following his storied past, Kankkunen’s stewardship has successfully guided the team to victory during a notably challenging race, highlighting the strength of the current drivers and the enduring legacy of Toyota in the WRC.
Original Source: www.wrc.com
