Elfyn Evans leads the Safari Rally Kenya with a nearly two-minute advantage over Ott Tanak. Despite setbacks, Josh McErlean is maintaining competitive spirit, while Kalle Rovanpera slipped to fifth. Neuville struggles in third due to various complications, as the final day of the rally approaches with five additional stages.
Elfyn Evans, the championship leader from Toyota, heads into the final day of the Safari Rally Kenya leading by almost two minutes over Hyundai’s Ott Tanak. This dramatic day saw teammate Kalle Rovanpera’s performance decline amidst chaotic conditions, while Josh McErlean from Ireland fell to 13th position after a difficult Saturday.
Starting Saturday’s stages in seventh position, McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy faced significant setbacks. Early in the day, they were forced to repair a broken steering arm, which initially dropped them to 15th place. However, McErlean rebounded impressively, registering the second-fastest time in stage 15, trailing only Grégoire Munster, another driver from M-Sport.
Evans began the day with a narrow lead over Rovanpera, just 7.7 seconds. He quickly extended his advantage by winning the first two stages, ultimately finishing the day 1 minute and 57.4 seconds ahead of Tanak. Given his performance, Evans is on track for a potential victory in his first Safari Rally. “It’s definitely been a proper Safari so far,” said Evans. “On a rally like Kenya, you have to weigh up the risk factor.”
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville holds third place but trails by over four and a half minutes due to issues with punctures and visibility caused by mist. Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta, partnered with Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston, sits in fourth position. Neuville commented, “I wasn’t feeling well at all after a bad night… I haven’t seen anything like it in my career. This is the roughest so far.”
Rovanpera’s hopes were dashed due to a front-right tyre delamination followed by a front-left puncture, which worsened in rainy afternoon conditions leading to rear suspension damage. This misfortune caused him to drop to fifth overall as the rally progresses into its concluding stages. Sunday’s agenda includes five more stages to determine the final results.
The Safari Rally Kenya has seen Elfyn Evans establish a significant lead, positioning him for a potential win. Meanwhile, both Josh McErlean and Kalle Rovanpera faced challenges that impacted their standings. Neuville managed to secure third despite numerous difficulties, illustrating the unpredictable nature of rally events. The final day promises further excitement as competitors vie for the top spots.
Original Source: www.rte.ie
