Safari Rally: Crews struggle through leg three as Evans takes a commanding lead

Elfyn Evans defied all odds to maintain a commanding lead into the final day of the Safari Rally Kenya while several crews grappled to finish the day.

The current WRC championship leader was among the few crews that survived the day’s wrath thrown at competitors after the change in weather. 

Evans started leg three with a slim lead of 7.7 seconds. A tyre damage in the morning stage did not bar him from extending his lead. 

Luck further played for Evans in the rest of the five stages of the day, eventually registering a commanding lead of 1min, 57.4secs head of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak.

“It’s definitely been a proper Safari so far. Two minutes; normally you would say that guarantees you a win – but not here,” said Evans.

“On a rally like Kenya, you have to weigh up the risk factor. We still need to drive well tomorrow, that goes without saying, and see what we can pick up.m,” he added. 

Day two overnight leader Kalle Rovanperä suffered the most when a front-right tyre deflation in the Elmenteita Stage cost him 21 seconds. It even got worse when he suffered another puncture in Soysambu Stage dropping further back in fifth position at the end of the day. 

Ott Tanak elevated to second position with teammate who also suffered from the day ending leg three in third position. 

Carl Tundo remains the best-placed local crew sitting 15th overall while Jeremiah Wahome is 17th.

The crews will cover three stages in the final leg before a winner is announced.

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