Paddon takes commanding lead after first day of International Rally of Whangarei

Whangarei 5 May 2018: Wanaka’s Hayden Paddon and co-driver Mal Peden park their Hyundai after today’s eight special stages at the ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei holding an advantage of 4mins, 02.4secs. Placed second at the overnight halt is Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn in a Subaru while third is Emma Gilmour and Anthony McLoughlin in a Suzuki.

Opening the six-round FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the second round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC), the event is contested across 277 kms of fast, flowing Northland New Zealand roads.

Starting Friday night with a double-run of a 1km long Super Special Stage, Paddon set the scene taking a near 5-sec lead into today’s eight high-speed tests, held north of host city Whangarei.

Autumnal weather conditions included fog for the opening stages, causing angst for some. While Paddon added a further 38 secs on the field after the opening test, it caught out Australian pairing Richie Dalton and Dale Moscat who left the road at speed.

Mechanical issues then slowed leading international entry Mike Young and Malcom Read in the Toyota Vitz, eventually grinding them to a halt mid-morning after sitting second overall behind Paddon.

The journey returned the teams to Whangarei for a midday service break before repeating the loop of stages in the afternoon. Paddon again set fastest time in each test to stretch his advantage. Italy’s Fabio Frisiero and Simone Scattolin in the Peugeot head the international field, 19th overall with Yuya Sumiyama and Takahiro Yasui from Japan 21st, in a Skoda.

“I’ve been really happy with how today has gone. We were trying to look after the tyres this afternoon and manage the through the stages with them. It’s been a really enjoyable day and everything has gone according to plan. With the slightly different stages tomorrow we will hopefully manage to keep pushing on and hopefully maintain what we have gotten from today,” said three-time winner Paddon after the day’s action.

“This afternoon has gone a lot better on the second time through. It’s been a surprise to be leading international but we’re happy,” said Frisiero. “As the day has gone on, our confidence got better. Our feeling for the car got better and so did the grip. Hopefully, we will be able to keep it going for tomorrow.”

With the pleasant weather set to continue, Sunday’s remaining eight stages take the teams south of Whangarei. Starting at 7am, the journey heads south through Waipu Caves and Millbrook areas before heading west and north through Waiotira and back to Whangarei for a service break mid-morning. Following the late morning-early afternoon repeat run, the cars then arrive back in Whangarei for the ceremonial finish, to be held at the Quayside Town Basin from 3pm.

ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei – top-10 Overall (provisional): 1. Hayden Paddon / Malcolm Peden (Hyundai i20, 01hr, 34mins, 56.2secs); 2. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn (Subaru WRX Sti) +04:02.4; 3. Emma Gilmour / Anthony McLoughlin (Suzuki Swift) +05:03.3; 4.  Nathan Quinn / David Calder (Ford Fiesta R5) +05:08.5; 5. Dylan Turner / Sarah Brennan (Audi Quattro S1) +05:16.4; 6. Graham Featherstone / Dave Devonport (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII)  +06:04.2; 7. Josh Marston / Andrew Graves (Holden Barin) +06:12.0; 8. Grant Blackberry / Ric Chalmers (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X) +07:27.5; 9. Geof Argyle / Joelle Eyre (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII) +08:00.7; 10. Matthew Jensen / Kieran Anstis, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX) +08:07.1.