WRC
Fans to the rescue after massive Evans roll
World Championship leader Elfyn Evans has the Finnish fans to thank o on Saturday morning, rolling with the flying finish of SS14 in sight.
Welshman Evans looked set to complete the Saturday morning loop at Secto Rally Finland in second overall, having cut the overnight lead of Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Séb Ogier from 16.3 to 11.6 seconds.
Fans help Elfyn Evans back onto the stage
© Rally.TV
However, the current championship leader admitted to being too optimistic going into the stage’s final right hander, sliding wide and catching a lip, sending his Toyota Yaris GR Rally1 rolling.
Evans slid wide and rolled on SS14
© Rally.TV
Fortuitously, Evans landed back on his four wheels, with fans scrambling to push him back onto the stage. Arriving quickly, they were able to do so in a short amount of time, allowing the 37-year-old to complete the stage, but dropping to fifth, with more than 1min 45sec lost.
"Just a corner was tighter than I expected with a ditch. Just a bit too brave. We got stuck, that's the bad thing. We're gonna have a look now," he told Rally.TV moments later at the stage end.
Evans rolled dramatically on Saturday morning in Finland
© Rally.TV
It now remains to be seen if Evans can get his car back to midday service where a major repair job awaits his mechanics.
