Welsh driver Elfyn Evans masterfully navigated the unpredictable weather of the Safari Rally Kenya on Saturday.
He widened his lead to a significant 1 minute and 57.4 seconds.
The penultimate day in East Africa presented a challenging mix of dry dust and torrential rain.
Evans started with a narrow 7.7-second advantage over Finland’s Kalle Rovanpera.
Evans steadily increased his lead in his Toyota, capitalizing on misfortunes of his main rivals.
Rovanpera suffered multiple tire punctures and later damaged his rear suspension.
This series of setbacks dropped him from second to fifth place overall.
Estonia’s Ott Tanak also faced numerous issues throughout the day.
Despite his own challenges, Tanak now sits in second position.
He holds a 2 minute and 36.0-second lead over his Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville.
Neuville himself endured two punctures, a fogged windscreen, and a misfiring engine.
Evans is now in a prime position to clinch his first Safari Rally victory.
However, with five stages remaining on Sunday, nothing is guaranteed on the demanding Kenyan terrain.
Evans acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the rally despite his comfortable lead.
He emphasized the need for continued focus and skillful driving to secure the win.
The final day promises further challenges in this iconic and grueling event.
