A dusty and watery affair; how 2025 WRC went down in Naivasha

How actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars crossed the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] After a grueling 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally championship in Naivasha, Welshman and Toyota ace Elfyn Evans emerged the winner. Despite the dust, watery paths and mud, Evans clocked 4:20:03.8 to win the four-day grueling journey on a 1:09.9 seconds advantage. The 2019 world champion Ott Tanak of Estonia (4:21:13.7) and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville of Belgium (4:23:35.8), both of Hyundai, came second and third, respectively. Defending champion Kalle Rovanpera of Finland, who started the new WRC season on a sour note in January, had a torrid outing in the Safari, where he was forced to retire after his Toyota Yaris Rally 1 machine developed problems in Stage 18 (Oserengoni 1). Elfyn Evans and his navigator, Scott Martin, charged towards the finish line at Hell's Gate, wrapping up their WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025 race on a high note at Naivasha,Nakuru county on March 23, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Rovanpera was seeking a third victory in the Safari Rally, where he had hoped to lead the assembled Toyota gang to a podium sweep in honour of their legend Juha Kankkunen, who first won the Safari title in 1985. Evans was all joy as he lift his first Safari Rally title after four attempts on Kenyan soil. His best result was a second place finish in 2022 and a third-place gong in 2023. His victory sealed a fifth title for Toyota in the Safari, which returned to the country in 2021 after a 19-year hiatus. Below are pictures of how events unfolded.... Elfyn Evans and his navigator, Scott Martin, charged towards the finish line at Hell's Gate, wrapping up their WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025 race on a high note at Naivasha,Nakuru county on March 23, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Elfyn Evans and his navigator, Scott Martin, charged towards the finish line at Hell's Gate, wrapping up their WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025 race on a high note at Naivasha,Nakuru county on March 23, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] President William Ruto join rally driver Carl "Flash" Tundo (left) and his navigator Tim Jessop as they celebrate after finishing the 2025 WRC Safari Rally Kenya as the top Kenyan driver. [ Stafford Ondego, Standard] Welshman Elfyn Evans and his navigator Scott Martin celebrate after winning the Safari Rally Kenya 2025 at Hells Gate in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Maasai dancers entertain rally enthusiasts at Hells Gate in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] President Ruto congratulate Kenyan Rally driver Carl Tundo after emerging the best locally. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Welshman Elfyn Evans and his navigator Scott Martin celebrate after winning the Safari Rally Kenya 2025 at Hells Gate in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] A rally enthusiast takes a nap after a gruelling day on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts enjoying Nyama choma in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Security officers control cars and human traffic during the 2025 edition of WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Cars stuck in traffic along the Nairobi-Nakuru higghway following the 2025 edition of WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Action taking place at Hells Gate Naivasha during Safari Rally Kenya 2025 on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Action taking place at Hells Gate Naivasha during Safari Rally Kenya 2025 on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Actions unfolding at Soysambu Ranch block 7 as rally cars cross the river during Day Three of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Safari Rally enthusiasts having fun in Naivasha on March 23, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Rally drivers make a call after their car broke down during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Engineers rush to replace a tyre developed technicalities during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Engineers rush to replace a tyre developed technicalities during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Rally driver reacts after his car broke down during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Rally driver reacts after his car broke down during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Rally drivers react after their car broke down during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Rally drivers react after their car broke down during the 2025 edition of the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

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