Elfyn Evans Captures Lead at Safari Rally Kenya Amid Rivals’ Struggles

Elfyn Evans took the lead in the Safari Rally Kenya by remaining cautious on a challenging day, finishing ahead of Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak. Rovanpera’s spin and Tanak’s mechanical issues significantly affected their standings, while Thierry Neuville faced penalties. Saturday will feature six stages totaling 146.50 kilometers.

Elfyn Evans, the championship leader, adopted a cautious approach during the challenging second day of the Safari Rally Kenya, capitalizing late in the day as his competitors encountered difficulties. Although he was not the fastest across the day’s eight stages, Evans finished with a lead of 7.7 seconds over his Toyota team-mate Kalle Rovanpera, who experienced a disruptive spin.
Ott Tanak, who faced mechanical issues while initially leading by 46.1 seconds, concluded the day in third place, while defending champion Thierry Neuville ended in fourth after receiving multiple penalties.
“It’s been a difficult day and we’ve erred on the side of caution,” stated Evans. Despite not taking risks, he acknowledged his competitors’ troubles, reflecting on the inherent challenges of the Safari Rally.
Rovanpera’s spin occurred on a narrow segment during the fourth stage, causing him to lose vital time. Tanak, who had established a strong start by winning the lengthy opening stage, encountered a driveshaft issue that resulted in only rear-wheel drive towards the end of the day, ultimately costing him over a minute in time.
“It’s a shame for Ott, obviously, to have a mechanical like that,” Evans remarked. Neuville faced significant penalties throughout the day, starting with a one-minute penalty for a late gearbox change and accumulating further penalties for a jump start and tardiness in subsequent stages.
Saturday’s events will feature six stages covering a total distance of 146.50 kilometers.

In summary, Elfyn Evans successfully navigated the challenges of the Safari Rally Kenya by remaining cautious, ultimately securing a lead amidst the misfortunes of his rivals. Kalle Rovanpera, despite his spin, and Ott Tanak, hindered by mechanical issues, illustrated the unpredictable nature of rally racing. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville’s penalties further exemplified the difficulties faced by competitors in this grueling event.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr