Elfyn Evans leads the Safari Rally Kenya with a two-minute advantage over Ott Tanak, while Josh McErlean falls to 13th after a chaotic day. Thierry Neuville and Takamoto Katsuta also face challenges. The final day includes five stages ahead.
Elfyn Evans, the leader of the championship, is poised to secure victory in the Safari Rally Kenya with a significant advantage of nearly two minutes over Hyundai’s Ott Tanak. The day proved challenging for teammate Kalle Rovanpera, while Irish driver Josh McErlean faced a day marked by difficulties and ultimately fell to 13th place overall.
McErlean, alongside co-driver Eoin Treacy, began Saturday in seventh position but encountered setbacks, including the need to repair a broken steering arm early on. This misfortune saw him initially drop to 15th. However, he displayed commendable resilience by achieving the second fastest time in stage 15, finishing just behind fellow M-Sport competitor Grégoire Munster.
Evans commenced the day with only a 7.7-second lead over Rovanpera. Nevertheless, he excelled in the first two stages, extending his lead to one minute and 57.4 seconds over Tanak. If he maintains his performance and avoids difficulties, he is on course for his first Safari victory. “It’s definitely been a proper Safari so far,” stated Evans. “Two minutes: Normally you would say that guarantees you a win but not here. On a rally like Kenya you have to weigh up the risk factor.”
Hyundai’s reigning champion, Thierry Neuville, secured third place, though he found himself more than four and a half minutes behind the frontrunners after facing several challenges, including punctures and obscured visibility due to misted windscreens. Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta, who is partnered with Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston, is currently in fourth place. Neuville remarked, “I wasn’t feeling well at all after a bad night and struggled to keep my concentration and do my job, but we kept fighting and we were rewarded with third place overnight.”
Rovanpera’s prospects diminished after he experienced a front-right tire delamination, followed by a front-left puncture. The inclement weather resulted in rear suspension damage, which ultimately pushed him back to fifth overall. The final day of the rally on Sunday will feature five additional stages.
Elfyn Evans has established a commanding lead in the Safari Rally Kenya, presenting him with a solid chance for victory if he navigates the final stages successfully. The day was tumultuous for many, notably Josh McErlean, who faced multiple challenges. Notable competitors such as Thierry Neuville and Kalle Rovanpera also encountered difficulties. As the event approaches its finale, competitors must contend with the unpredictable conditions of the rally.
Original Source: www.rte.ie
