Hayden Paddon has improved to fifth place after 13 stages of Australian round of the World Rally Championship, setting the fourth fastest time through the 12.33km SS13. Highly changeable weather conditions have made roads extremely slippery, leading to retirement of Kris Meeke (GBR) who had been third. Organisers have now cancelled SS14 due to a damaged bridge, meaning the competitors now wait until the evening’s two runs at the Coffs Harbour super special stage.
“Australian weather has thrown a big curve ball this year. Tyre selection is proving a real gamble for everyone,” said Paddon, who earlier in the day described the big Nambucca stage as like two rallies in one, due to part of it being wet and muddy and, then completely dry.
Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville (BEL) leads the rally by just 6.3 seconds from Toyota’s Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) with Ford’s Ott Tanak (EST) in third.
88 kilometres remain until the rally finishes just after 4pm NZ time Sunday.
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