Elfyn Evans Tightens Grip on Safari Rally Lead After Thrilling Day Two
Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Elfyn Evans maintained his lead at the Safari Rally after an action-packed second day, setting the stage for an intense final showdown on Sunday.
The Welshman, piloting his Yaris Rally1, posted a cumulative time of 3:38:39.3 to secure his spot at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, a dramatic shift on the leaderboard saw Hyundai’s Ott Tanak from Estonia (3:40:36.7) and reigning WRC champion Thierry Neuville from Belgium (3:43:12.7) push through the ranks to claim second and third place, respectively.
Evans Sets the Pace Amidst Fierce Competition
Earlier in the day, Evans led the charge with Toyota teammate Kalle Rovanpera hot on his heels and Tanak holding the third position. Neuville, initially trailing in sixth, made a remarkable comeback during the afternoon session as Rovanpera slipped to fifth, allowing Tanak and Neuville to seize the podium positions.
Evans stamped his authority on Saturday with back-to-back stage victories, dominating SS11 (Sleeping Warrior 1 – 26.97km) and SS12 (Elmenteita 1 – 17.31km), keeping his hopes alive for a maiden Safari Rally triumph.
Katsuta and Tanak Steal the Spotlight
Takamoto Katsuta, another Toyota ace, showcased his skills by clinching SS13 (Soysambu 1 – 28.97km), wrapping up the morning session with a commanding stage win. Katsuta continued his impressive form in the afternoon, taking victory in SS14 (Sleeping Warrior 2), outpacing Rovanpera by 15.3 seconds, while Evans settled for third, trailing by 27 seconds.
M-Sport Ford’s Gregoire Munster pulled off a surprise in SS15 (Elmenteita 2) with a blazing 11:11.4 run, shaking up the standings. However, it was Tanak who capped the day in dominant fashion, securing his sixth stage win in SS16 (Soysambu 2 – 20:19.1).
Tanak’s Commanding Momentum
Tanak’s form was evident from the start, having set the pace on Thursday by clinching SS2 (Mzabibu 1) with a 1.1-second advantage over Katsuta. On Friday, he continued his dominance by outpacing Neuville by 2.1 seconds in SS3 (Camp Moran – 31.4km) and securing another win in SS4 (Loldia – 19.11km) with a swift 14:29.3 run.
The Estonian further asserted his prowess with victories in SS6 (Kedong – 7:21.4) and SS8 (Loldia 2 – 14:23.6), cementing his position as a formidable contender for the title.
Final Showdown Awaits
As the rally heads into its final day, Evans remains the man to beat, but with Tanak and Neuville hot on his trail, the battle for the Safari Rally crown is far from over. Spectators can expect a gripping finale as the world’s top rally drivers push their limits to claim glory on Kenya’s iconic rally stages.
