Paddon planning to continue record winning streak

Hayden Paddon’s hopes to continue his perfect New Zealand Rally Championship season this weekend with the running of the Stadium Finance South Canterbury Rally on Saturday.

Over the opening two rounds at Otago and Whangarei, the Hyundai i20 AP4 mounted driver has been unchallenged, and untroubled as he has won both events at a canter.

But it’s not through his rivals’ lack of trying, and they appear to be slowly bridging the gap.

Two of those most likely to challenge Paddon this weekend are both locals, and that could really play into the hands of Josh Marston and Robbie Stokes.

Marston lies second in the series in his Holden Barina AP4, but his hopes of a successful test at the recent Canterbury Rally came to nought when his car ground to a halt on the first stage.

Not so for Stokes though, who dominated the rally in his Ford Fiesta AP4. Bad luck in the first two rounds mean that Stokes’ NZRC title hopes have pretty much ended, so he’ll be determined to make a stand, while aiming for top points in the Mainland Rally series.

From second through sixth in the NZRC, there’s only a 15 point gap, and that’s not to mention other drivers who can easily finish on the podium.

After Marston (41 points) in second place comes Regan Ross (40) in a Ford Fiesta R5, reigning national champion Ben Hunt (37) in his Subaru, Skoda driver Raana Horan (30), young-gun Ari Pettigrew (26) in a rear-wheel drive BMW, and veteran Duncan McCrostie (26) in his ex-Force Motorsport Mazda 2 AP4.

If ever there was a driver who was due for some luck it is Emma Gilmour in her mechanically fragile Suzuki Swift AP4, while Matt Summerfield will be another to watch closely in his Ralliart NZ Mitsubishi Mirage AP4.

Back in the country after living in Perth, Australia, for several years, Mike Young will make a welcome return to the NZRC behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRX formerly driven by Dylan Thomson (main picture).

A front-runner in Asia Pacific Rally Championship rounds, and the current Western Australian Rally Champion, Young could be a real darkhorse.

Like always, the two-wheel drive battle will be one to watch, with Pettigrew a clear leader from the aforementioned Thomson, now back in his Ford Fiesta ST.

Marcus van Klink will be hoping to put a disappointing start to the season behind him in his Mazda RX8, while Escort runners Jeff Judd, Shane Murland and Anthony Jones will be there or there abouts.

John Silcock’s gorgeous Mazda RX7 cannot be discounted either.

The Rally South Canterbury has attracted a bumper field of 89 cars for the one-day, 10 stage event.

See the full entry list here: https://chrissport.co.nz/events/

For spectator information, visit the official website: https://southcanterburycarclub.org.nz/gravel-activities/

Peter has been the editor of RallySport Magazine since its inception in 1989, in both printed and online form. He is a long-time competitor, event organiser and official, as well as working in the media.

http://rallysportmag.com

Related Stories

New leader emerges on Day 3 – Targa NZ

TalkMotorsport Medium Read Length MEDIUM READ

Join in the conversation!


Comments

Leave a Reply