Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elfyn Evans victory in Japan was his second of the season and the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver's 50th WRC podium
BySteve JamesBBC Sport Wales- Published12 minutes ago
Elfyn Evans claimed a third win in four years at Rally Japan to extend his lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
At the halfway point of the 14-race series the Welshman's advantage over Toyota team-mate Takamoto Katsuta has grown from 12 points to 20.
Evans, 37, grabbed the lead in Japan with an impressive drive on Friday's iconic stage-two run through Isegami's Tunnel, and remained in control of the rally over the remaining 18 stages.
He finished 12.8 seconds ahead of nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, with Sami Pajari 51.4secs back in third.
Katsuta, with Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston, completed a Toyota 1-2-3-4 in their home race.
"What a great weekend, amazing car again on tarmac," said Evans, who played down the significance of his growing championship lead.
"Not sure, a long way to go and too early to talk about that," he added.
"We have to just enjoy this one."
Jon Armstrong added four points to his championship tally with eighth place, while Motorsport Ireland and M-Sport Ford team-mate Josh McErlean finished 10th, collecting one point.
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Evans took full advantage of being the first driver on the road to set himself up for victory on Friday - winning stage two by 7.5 seconds.
Posting the fastest time on stage three, and again winning the afternoon's second run through Isegami's Tunnel, meant the Welshman led by 15.7 seconds at the end of the first day.
Toyota team-mate Oliver Solberg and English co-driver Elliott Edmondson cut that by more than five seconds with two stage wins on Saturday morning, but the 24-year old Swede crashed out of contention on stage 12 - earning a rebuke from veteran Ogier.
"Unfortunately it's not really a surprise, but it's a shame," said the 42-year-old Frenchman.
"I've seen the risk he's taking is too high."
Solberg, who dismissed Ogier's comments, rejoined to claim the maximum 10 Sunday bonus points and is third in the championship, 49 points behind Evans.
After three crashes this year in Tarmac events he is now looking forward to the remaining seven rallies on gravel.
"Gravel and so on has been very strong," said Solberg.
"It's only gravel from now, so I still believe everything is possible."
Failing to win any of seven consecutive gravel rallies between May and September last season ultimately cost Evans and co-driver Scott Martin the title - as they finished championship runners-up for a fifth time in six years.
Running first as championship leader can be a disadvantage in gravel rallies, as the opening car 'sweeps' the road, leaving a cleaner run for those following.
Evans is mindful of the pitfalls ahead, admitting dry gravel rallies are "what we identified as perhaps the weakest point of our championships in the past".
A stern examination of those skills, and a threat to his WRC lead, comes next - with round eight heading to Greece for the Acropolis Rally from 25-28 June.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin won five of the 20 stages at Rally Japan
Rally Japan result
1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 3 hours 17 minutes 08.0 seconds
2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, +12.8secs
3. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, +51.4secs
4. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, +1min 03.5secs
5. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Hyundai, +2min 34.8secs
6. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, +3min 13.6secs
Selected others
8. Jon Armstrong (Ireland) Ford +5min 45.2secs
10. Josh McErlean (Ireland) Ford, +9min 23.0secs
21. Oliver Solberg (Sweden), Toyota, +49min 43.6secs
FIA World Rally Championship drivers' standings (provisional)
1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 151 points
2. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, 131
3. Oliver Solberg (Sweden), Toyota, 102
4. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, 96
5. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 90
6. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Hyundai, 89
7. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 73
Selected others
12. Jon Armstrong (Ireland), Ford, 14
18. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, 7
