Evans roars to victory at Safari Rally Kenya / Photo: Tony KARUMBA - AFP
Evans roars to victory at Safari Rally Kenya
Welshman Elfyn Evans extended his lead at the top of the World Rally Championship with victory at the demanding Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday.
The Toyota driver made it back-to-back wins having won the last round in Sweden and now, after three of the 14 rounds, holds a 36-point lead over defending champion Thierry Neuville in the title race.
Two-time champion Kalle Rovanpera is 57 points adrift, after being forced to retire on Sunday morning with an electrical issue on his Toyota.
Evans, who has finished runner-up in the championship on four occasions, drove a controlled race, avoiding the many pitfalls of the Safari Rally, as he completed the 21st and final special stage with a 1 minute 9 second lead over Hyundai's Ott Tanak.
The Estonian's Belgian teammate Neuville finished third at 3min 32sec.
"A huge well done to the team," said Evans. "They did a great job and I'm proud to be a very small part of Toyota's history at this special rally."
Finland's Sami Pajari (Toyota) took fourth place, ahead of his Japanese team-mate Takamoto Katsuta, who rolled his Toyota on the final stage as he pressed for bonus points.
That he was able to finish and collect 10 precious points was thanks to nearby spectators who helped get the car back on its wheels.
"I don't know what happened," said Katsuta who had been heading for fourth. "Just sorry for the team, nothing else."
The next stage of the WRC World Championship will take place at the end of April with the Rally of the Canary Islands.
M.Webber--RTC
