Hayden Paddon describes Friday’s action at WRC Germany as “lively”, adding “when we are learning to drive fast on Tarmac we have to test the limits”.
With co-driver John Kennard, Paddon holds eight place overnight after Friday’s five-stage itinerary among the Mosel Valley vineyards. A spin on the opening stage set the scene for a tough start but the Kiwis will fight back tomorrow and aim to improve on their current eighth place.
“It’s been one of those days and we’ve certainly been learning the hard way,” commented Paddon. “We had an eventful morning loop. The conditions were tricky, mainly dry but there was a lot of mud in the cuts. We had a big spin in the vineyards and lost 20 seconds. Then, in the following stage, we hit a drain on the rear-left, which added to the time loss.
“We made it to lunchtime service relatively intact but had more drama in the afternoon. The repeat of Mittelmosel we had a big moment heading downhill fast in sixth when we went off. We were fortunate to get away with it, really. I’m hoping for less drama tomorrow, that’s for sure.”
Hyundai Motorsport has enjoyed a strong start to Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the 13-round 2016 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), with the team just 5.9s off the rally lead after the opening five stages.
The German round of the WRC is an important event for Hyundai Motorsport, whose factory is located in Alzenau just over 200km from the service park in Trier. The rally also brings back happy memories for the team as it heralded the team’s first WRC victory and 1-2 result in its maiden season two years ago.
Thierry Neuville triumphed on that special day in 2014, and the Belgian looks to be on equally competitive form again in this year’s Rallye Deutschland. Neuville holds third position overall at the end of Friday’s stages, right on the tail of current rally leader Andreas Mikkelsen.
Fellow Hyundai Shell World Rally Team driver Dani Sordo has made a strong return to WRC action today in fourth place overall, with Hayden Paddon in eighth for the Hyundai Mobis World Rally Team.
Neuville (#3 New Generation i20 WRC) and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul have been consistently inside the top-three on the opening day. The pair scored a stage win in SS2 (Moselland) and will be hoping to maintain position on Saturday with almost 150km of unforgiving stages – including the 40km Panzerplatte Lang tests.
There is plenty of local support for Hyundai Motorsport as it aims to get back on the podium in Rallye Deutschland. The New Generation i20 WRC has the opportunity to stretch its legs on the German tarmac, which offers a stark contrast to the recent high speed encounters in Poland and Finland.
Saturday’s itinerary takes in nine stages in total, run over 148.57 competitive SS kilometres on the Baumholder military roads. Each loop will culminate with the daunting 40.80km Panzerplatte Lang stage with drivers aiming to steer clear of the notorious Hinkelsteine.
Overall Classification after Day One
A. Mikkelsen / A. Jaeger (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) 59:42.6
S. Ogier / J. Ingrassia (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +4.3
T. Neuville / N. Gilsoul (Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC) +5.9
D. Sordo / M. Martí (Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC) +12.7
O. Tanak / R. Molder (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +55.4
S. Lefebvre / G. Moreau (Citroën DS3 WRC) +1:06.6
M. Østberg / O. Floene (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +1:32.4
H. Paddon / J. Kennard (Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC) +1:45.0
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