Kankkunen Celebrates Toyota’s 100th WRC Victory at Safari Rally

Juha Kankkunen oversaw Toyota’s fifth consecutive triumph at the Safari Rally in Kenya, with Elfyn Evans winning, marking Toyota’s 100th WRC start since 2017. Kankkunen, a former victor of the rally, expressed deep emotion over this milestone and described the event as particularly challenging.

In a remarkable event for Toyota and the World Rally Championship (WRC), Juha Kankkunen stepped in for Jari-Matti Latvala, witnessing Toyota’s fifth consecutive victory at the Safari Rally in Kenya. Elfyn Evans, alongside his co-driver Scott Martin, secured the win on Sunday, marking a significant milestone as it was Toyota’s 100th WRC start since their return in 2017.

Kankkunen, a three-time winner of the challenging African rally during the 1980s and 1990s, expressed deep emotion over the achievement. He remarked, “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. It really brought tears to my eyes.”

Despite the modern iteration of the Safari being shorter, it proved to be a demanding challenge. Kankkunen noted his heightened anxiety during the event, stating, “I was a lot more nervous following it than I ever was when I was driving myself.” He described this year’s Safari as the toughest he had witnessed, filled with unpredictable events.

Reflecting on the outcome, Kankkunen stated, “We were maybe a little bit unlucky compared to previous years, especially on this final day, but the most important thing is that we managed to win this rally for Toyota once again.” He commended the efforts of Evans and Martin, who have made an impressive start to their season, culminating in this historic victory.

The triumph of Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin at the Safari Rally signifies Toyota’s enduring success in the WRC, with this victory marking their 100th start since rejoining the series. Juha Kankkunen’s emotional return to the Safari, where he once claimed victory, highlights the significance of this achievement for both the team and the sport. Despite challenges during the rally, the team’s performance remains commendable, indicating a promising season ahead.

Original Source: www.wrc.com