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In a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship at Rally Japan, an unexpected victor emerges, showcasing dominance and determination.
Welsh driver Elfyn Evans has clinched his eighth career win at the final round of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship.
Evans finished a remarkable 1 minute and 17.7 seconds ahead of his Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Sébastien Ogier, cementing his position as the runner-up driver in this year's championship, a feat he has achieved for the third time in his career.
Evans's path to victory was paved early in the asphalt fixture, where he surged to a near-two-minute lead during Friday's rain-soaked opening leg. With that significant advantage under his belt, he masterfully controlled the rally, adjusting his risk level to adapt to the ever-changing conditions.
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16:33 - 18.11.2023
MOTORSPORTS Tragedy strikes as Safari Rally veteran loses life at Burundi's Gitega Rally
Safari Rally veteran's tragic death halts the 2023 Gitega Rally in Burundi, leaving the motorsport community in sorrow.
Kalle Rovanperä's capture of the final podium spot marked a perfect season for Toyota, securing titles for Rovanperä and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen, in addition to the team's third consecutive manufacturers' championship victory.
"It was not easy with the conditions we had this week, even though we had a massive gap already after Friday night. A massive thanks to the team; the car's been great, and a 1-2-3 for Toyota is a fantastic result," said Evans.
Ogier, who had undertaken a part-time program in 2023, faced adversity when he damaged his GR Yaris car's chassis after sliding into a barrier on Saturday.
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09:06 - 18.11.2023
MOTORSPORTS Kenya’s multiple winner Carl Tundo, Zambia’s former African champion Gomes among big names at RX Motorsports event
Five-time Safari Rally winner Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo and immediate former African champion Leroy Gomes will be among the star attractions during the third round of the RX Motorsports
The necessary repairs caused him to exceed his allocated service time, resulting in a one-minute time penalty that ultimately prevented him from challenging Evans's lead. He finished 28.8 seconds ahead of Rovanperä, securing the second-place position.
Esapekka Lappi, behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 Rally1, held off Toyota's rising star Takamoto Katsuta to claim fourth place, with a 20.0-second gap separating the two.
Local hero Katsuta showcased his prowess by winning nine of the rally's 21 stages, but an incident on Friday morning left him just over three minutes behind the victorious Evans.
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20:00 - 13.11.2023
MOTORSPORTS Hamza Anwar's quest for Junior Africa Rally Championship dominance takes a Skoda turn
Kenyan rally champion Hamza Anwar, after winning the Junior title, eyes a new Skoda car to conquer the Africa Rally Championship.
Ott Tänak struggled to find the right balance with his M-Sport Ford Puma, settling for sixth place in his final outing for the British team. Tänak is set to return to Hyundai Motorsport's lineup for the upcoming season.
WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen not only added another class victory to his impressive tally but also secured a commendable seventh-place finish overall in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Following closely behind were fellow Rally2 competitors Nikolay Gryazin and Kajetan Kajetanowicz.
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18:53 - 12.11.2023
MOTORSPORTS Kenya’s Patel, Khan emerge FIA African Rally Championship winners after second-place finish at season-ending ASAS event in Tanzania
Kenyan duo Karan Patel and his co-driver Tauseef Khan protected their championship lead to claim the overall ARC Rally title following a podium finish in the season finale in Tanzania
Kajetanowicz's second-place finish in the WRC2 Challenger category was enough to secure the title, making him the first driver to claim the championship since its inception at the beginning of the year.
As the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship season concludes in style, fans can eagerly anticipate the return of thrilling rally action in 2024.
The season will kick off with the Rallye Monte-Carlo from January 25th to 28th, promising another year of high-speed excitement and fierce competition on the world's most challenging stages.
Follow Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more news.
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