WRC Rally Japan: Elfyn Evans leads as deer delay Oliver Solberg

Elfyn Evans leads Rally Japan as Solberg is delayed by deer and conditions turn tricky. Evans, who started first on the road amid overnight rain, built a 7.5-second gap over Solberg after SS2 Isegami’s Tunnel and extended that to 17.7 seconds after the morning loop by winning the final stage. Solberg admitted being overly cautious in SS2 cost him time, while deer on the road forced him to slow in SS3, harming his momentum. Ogier, starting sixth, was 0.9 seconds behind after SS1 but trailed by 16.7 seconds after the tougher second test as road conditions worsened. The rally remains open with momentum and road position influencing early results.