Hayden Paddon has won the 2024 Ashley Forest Rallysprint but only just after being pushed all the way through the final elimination runs by rival Sloan Cox. Paddon, driving his newly acquired 2016 Hyundai i20N WRC rally car that he won the 2016 Rally of Argentina, beat Cox by just 0.11 seconds in the final run of the day on the <2km course held at the Ashley Forest, north of Rangiora in Canterbury.
“To be honest, that’s the most nervous I have ever been in a rally car as I know what his (WRC car) is worth,” commented Paddon. “This car is so special to myself, and the team and I probably didn’t realise how special this car is to (NZ) rallying until Thursday when I started hearing all the stories and how it meant so much.”
The Hyundai only arrived in the country on Monday and details released at a launch on Thursday with the car hastily being prepared for the weekend’s event.
The two-day event saw drivers from seven different Classes competing for both overall and Class honours. Saturday held four qualifying runs with the top 32 going into an elimination format starting Sunday morning. This dropped to the fastest 16, then eight, four and a final run off by the fastest two drivers.
It was during the final eight run-off that Cox set a blistering time of 54.36 seconds with Paddon second fastest on 55.12. Joining them in the top four were Sean Haggarty (Subaru WRX) and Mike Tall (Mitsubishi Mirage).
Cox again set the quickest time of the top four going under the 54 second mark and then elected to go first in the final run.
“I knew I had given some time away going up (the hill),” said Cox setting a 53.99 second time. “So, I pushed pretty hard going down and put everything on the line. Sometimes the magical stuff happens, other times you go away a little bit annoyed. We came here to have fun and I love battling Hayden so we will be here again.”
A relieved Paddon crossed the finish line with a time of 53.88 seconds.
For me, hardly a scratch on it, it’s perfect. I love this car and the team. A massive congratulations to Sloan (Cox). You drive once a year to come out and peddle that thing the way you do is amazing, so thank you.”
Class winners included Emma Gilmour (Citroen C3 Rally2) (Brand Mechanical Rally 4WD Class 5) who made the op eight, breakinge the one-minute mark in her first Ashley Forest Rallysrint. Tim McDonald (Toyota Corolla) won the Skip2U 1301-1600cc Class run off, while John Silcock (Mazda RX7 Group B) won the Parks Engineering Classic 2WD Class.
Chris Hey dominated the Secure Scaffold Unlimited 2WD class, his record 15th class victory and Matt Penrose won the Cross Cars category.
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