Photo credit: www.autosport.com
Elfyn Evans Maintains Lead Amid Tough Conditions at Safari Rally
Elfyn Evans emphasizes that a nearly two-minute lead does not guarantee victory, as this year’s Safari Rally proves to be the most challenging since its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC). With wild weather and treacherous roads, competitors have faced significant obstacles, making every stage a test of skill and resilience.
As the WRC points leader, Evans entered Sunday’s final stages holding a 1 minute 57.4 seconds advantage over Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, following a setback in Kalle Rovanpera’s pursuit of the title. Despite the adversity faced by other drivers, Evans has been remarkable in his consistency, being the only Rally1 driver to steer clear of major issues after 16 stages. However, he did encounter challenges, such as a spin during stage 14 and running out of windscreen washer fluid, which impaired his visibility later in the day.
“We’ve experienced our share of difficulties, and it truly has been a proper Safari so far,” stated Evans. “While a two-minute lead might usually signal a probable win, that’s not a certainty here.” He plans to focus on navigating the final stages effectively, contemplating if he can secure additional points without adopting an aggressive strategy.
At the beginning of Saturday, Evans had a narrow 7.7 seconds lead over Rovanpera. However, Rovanpera’s bid faltered due to a pair of punctures that hindered his chances for a third Safari Rally victory. Additionally, he hit a rock during a wet stage, leading to makeshift repairs that allowed him to reach the service area, although it cost him racing momentum.
“It was challenging, and we had never broken this part of the car before, so there weren’t many options for us to address the issue,” Rovanpera noted. He acknowledged the need for strong performances in the upcoming stages to regain points.
Takamoto Katsuta’s Compelling Performance Despite Challenges
Photo by: Toyota Racing
Takamoto Katsuta, despite facing food poisoning, managed an impressive stage win in stage 14 under difficult conditions. Unfortunately, his Safari aspirations took another hit when he experienced his sixth puncture during the concluding stage of the day, leaving him in fourth place, 5 minutes and 6.6 seconds behind Evans.
Hyundai Seizes Podium Opportunities Amidst Safari Struggles
Hyundai encountered significant challenges throughout the day, with their i20 Ns struggling in the relentless wet conditions while Katsuta pressed toward the podium. Both Tanak and Thierry Neuville encountered issues, but they managed to benefit from Rovanpera and Katsuta’s misfortunes, securing second and third places, respectively.
Tanak could not replicate his leading pace from Friday and endured a costly puncture as well as visibility issues due to a misting windscreen during the demanding conditions of stage 14. Neuville, feeling the effects of illness, described finishing the day in third place as a considerable achievement given the circumstances.
“It’s hard to articulate how tricky it has been for various reasons, including my health,” Neuville expressed. He maintained focus despite struggling with concentration, thankful for the reward of third place in such grueling conditions. “We’ve faced rough Safaris before, but this one is definitely the toughest yet.”
Meanwhile, M-Sport-Ford drivers Gregoire Munster and Josh McErlean handled the challenging terrain adeptly, achieving a commendable 1-2 finish on the timing screens for stage 15. They were fortunate to benefit from slightly better conditions, though Munster humorously suggested that a “jet ski” would have been more suitable for the wet stretches. Munster concluded the day in seventh place, while McErlean, facing his own setbacks, finished in 13th, trailing M-Sport privateer Jourdan Serderidis in 10th.
Gus Greensmith also performed well, leading the WRC2 class and securing eighth overall as the rally neared its conclusion.
Current Standings After SS16:
Source
www.autosport.com