Elfyn maintains championship lead despite Safari set-back

Welsh star still heads the WRC title race after mid-event retirement in Kenya.

Elfyn continues to lead the FIA World Rally Championship standings despite retiring mid-event for the first time in over a year after damaged suspension ended his challenge at Safari Rally Kenya.

He was sidelined on Saturday morning’s Sleeping Warrior stage with broken rear suspension after picking up a double puncture on the previous stage. However, he returned to complete Super Sunday and collect vital additional points to maintain an eight-point advantage at the top of the championship table.

The Safari Rally lived up to its reputation as one of the championship’s most brutal events. 

Prolonged rain over the last few weeks meant mud was much more prevalent on many of the softer stages and Thursday afternoon’s opening two tests saw competitors face some extreme conditions right from the off. Elfyn got off to a solid start and held second place overnight.

Friday was more of a mix of loose gravel roads and traditional Safari stages. Running first on the road, Elfyn faced the worst of the loose gravel and was unable to maintain the same pace as those behind. He slipped back to third overall after being overhauled by team-mate Sebastien Ogier.

Saturday was forecast to be one of the toughest days of the season and it certainly lived up to that reputation. Multiple cars picked up punctures and damaged tyres on SS12, Elfyn got a double deflation on his GR Yaris and then was forced to stop with broken rear suspension on SS13. The morning loop of stages turned the results around, with retirements, punctures and delays across the board.

He returned on the final day to pick up some crucial Super Sunday and Power Stage points to help maintain the championship advantage. The focus switches to asphalt now with Rally Croatia on 9-12 April.