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.
