Evans closes in on Ogier for title hunt down in Japan

Photos credit: Red bull content pool

BY FRANK KAHEESI& HENRY MBAZIIRA- FMU MEDIA/USPA

Elfyn Evans turned up the heat on Sebastien Ogier at FORUM8 Rally Japan, slicing the early Frenchman’s lead to just 2.0sec during Saturday morning’s leg.

The Welshman, chasing his first world title, started the day third in an all-Toyota top three.

By the end of the 21.74km Mt Kasagi test he was within striking distance of his eight-time champion team-mate, bringing himself firmly into the fight for the rally lead.

Evans’ morning gathered pace with every kilometre. 

He began by beating title rival Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta on the brand-new Obara stage, then shadowed pacesetter Adrien Fourmaux on the following Ena 1 before going fastest on Mt Kasagi’s narrow, leaf-strewn asphalt.

“It’s hard to say how you’re doing,” Evans shrugged.

“It’s really dirty in there in places. I don’t know anymore – I just keep driving.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing keeps in lead of the home event with a 1-2-3, with home boy Katsuta keeps close third with time of 5.2 seconds off the rally leader and teammate, Ogier.

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