EVANS LAUNCHES INTO WRC LEAD AT RALLY TURKEY

Elfyn Evans launches into WRC lead at Rally Turkey – Photo: LAT

Toyota’s Elfyn Evans has launched himself into World Rally Championship title points lead after winning dramatic Rally Turkey.

By RHYS VANDERSYDE

A cautious approach by Welshman on the rough and rocky forest roads paid dividends as he went on to score the third win of his career and second since joining Toyota.

Last years Champion Ott Tanak was the first of the drivers to strike issues. A mechanical issue with his Hyundai saw the Estonian drop out of contention on the third stage of the rally.

Tanak would resume under Rally 2 rules to score points on the final power stage, but still took a significant hit against his title ambitions.

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville set his intentions early, charging out to a 33s lead over veteran teammate Sebastien Loeb and Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier at the end of Saturday’s running.

However, in Sunday’s opening stage all three would strike issues. Neuville was the first victim losing 1m45s while changing a wheel due to a puncture.

Loeb also picked up a puncture instead of stopping, pushed on to complete the stage on the rim but lost significant time in the process.

Ogier suffered the same fate, but only lost 1m20s while swapping a wheel. However, the swift recovery was in vain when his Toyota Yaris pulled up on the second pass through Cetibeli billowing smoke before retiring from the event. The first time this season that the Frenchman has failed to score any championship points.

It was this turn of luck that enabled Evans, who had been fourth at the start of the day to jump up into the lead of the rally and amass a 40s margin, while also winning the stage. Setting the Toyota driver up for the win with a comfortable run through the final Power Stage.

Neuville bounced back on the Power Stage to take the five bonus points and solidify second place overall, with Loeb rounding out the podium.

Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera finished fourth, with M-Sport’s Gus Greensmith earning a career-best fifth in his Ford Fiesta.

Evans now leads the standings with a 22 point margin over Ogier. While Tanak is a further 9 points behind with two rounds remaining.

The next round of World Rally Championship is Rally Italia Sardegna on October 8-11.

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