CROATIA. Zagreb: Elfyn Evans of Toyota Gazoo Racing secures his first win after a gap of 18 months since Secto Rally Finland in 2021 and driving on a pure asphalt terrain. The win was Evans’s first since Finland in October 2021. With this win, His Toyota Gazoo Racing team preserved its winning record for the Croatia Rally. Toyota Gazoo Racing now has 29 points lead over Hyundai Motorsport in the manufacturers’ championship.
Earlier in the race, Tänak offered a tough challenge to Evans. Still, a transmission issue on the final race day pushed him to the second position 31.6 sec ahead of Esapekka Lappi. Hyundai’s Espekka Lappi secured the third position after consistently performing despite showing a little less confidence on the dirtier sections of the race.
Current world champion Kalle Rovanpera came fourth after an impressive recovery drive on the final race day morning, overtaking teammates Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta, who settled for fifth and sixth position, respectively. Ogier earned three bonus points from the final Power Stage but unfortunately received time penalties wherein he lost almost two-and-a-half minutes and finally finished the race 9.7 sec behind Rovanpera.
Croatia Rally’s ceremonial start had quickly established itself as one of the most popular in the series, with a Thursday night in Zagreb accompanied by lights, lasers and pyrotechnics. Last Thursday was different.
Remembering Craig Breen
The WRC community gathered to remember Craig being one of the most passionate, emotional, articulate and talented individuals and created a photograph which speaks of solidarity between the championship and sports. The film gave ultimate tribute to the young racer Craig at the service park.
Following their Croatia Rally victory on Sunday afternoon, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin paid homage to Craig, who died in an unfortunate testing accident on 13 April this year.
“We’ve been close [to winning] a few times now,” Evans said, “but we’ve never quite pulled it together. It was important to get this one on the board, and I’m obviously relieved a bit from that side.”
“I am so disappointed for the team and us after everything. It’s a tough moment, you know. We really wanted that victory- to make Craig proud- but we missed the opportunity,” said Neuville.
WRC Croatia Rally 2023 – Race Result
- E. Evans & S. Martin (Tayota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid), Time: 2h 50m 54.3s Position: 1st
- O Tänak & M Järveoja (EST Ford Puma), Time: +27.0s Position: 2nd
- E Lappi & J Ferm (FIN Hyundai i20 N) Time: +58.6s Position: 3rd
Drivers Championship standings after WRC Croatia Rally 2023
- Sebastien Ogier, Points: 69
- Elfyn Evans, Points: 69
- Kalle Rovanperä, Points: 68
Manufacturers’ standings after WRC Croatia Rally 2023
- Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Points: 161
- Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, Points: 132
- M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, Points: 108
WRC Croatia Rally 2023
The Croatia Rally that started the WRC journey in 2021 is touted as the first world-level rally in Europe’s eastern region since Rally Bulgaria in 2010. The special stages during the race threw ultimate challenges to the racers due to its slippery terrain, even in the dry condition, together with Asphalt that varied from super-smooth to badly broken, which ensured an adventurous race.
FIA
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile or International Automobile Federation (FIA) is an association established on June 20, 1904. FIA works across three key interlinked areas of activity, i.e., Sport, Campaigns, and Mobility, and promotes motorsport and road safety worldwide.
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