Paddon claims first WRC stage win

New Zealand’s top rally duo Hayden Paddon and John Kennard celebrated their first WRC stage win on the way to another top-ten finish

Paddon and Kennard set the fastest Stage 3 time on Day 1, completing the 27km gravel leg in 15m 26s, two seconds ahead of championship leader and defending champion Sebastien Ogier of France.

“It’s nice to tick our first stage win off the list; we weren’t expecting it. There was a lot of dust, but we pushed through and had a good run,” said Paddon.

Drama struck on Stage 4, however, when two punctured tyres cost the Kiwis six minutes, knocking them from third place in the standings to 20th. Undeterred, they went on to post two further top-five stage times to finish the day in 14th.

The penultimate event of the year, Rally Spain is the only WRC course with both gravel and asphalt stages, requiring a high level of driving skill to negotiate.

Despite the unfamiliar surface and unseasonably hot temperatures, which tested tyres and brakes, Paddon was able to battle back over the final two days to finish ninth.

“It was our first tarmac event this year; it requires a different car set-up and driving style,” said Paddon. “We’ve gained a lot of experience for future rallies.”

Eventual winner Ogier tied up his second-consecutive WRC championship, compiling an unassailable 31-point lead over Volkswagen teammate Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland.

Paddon says he is feeling comfortable in the Hyundai i20 on gravel and is looking forward to the final event of the year in Wales on the 13 – 16 November, which features 23 stages of gravel across its full 310km stretch.

The Kiwis are currently negotiating with their Hyundai Shell World Rally Team for an extended programme in next season’s WRC. Paddon and Kennard have competed in five of the 12 events run this year and are 14th in the championship.