Paddon takes record breaking win at season opener

HaydonPaddon_OtagoRally2016_PhotoGeoffRidder_GR42668

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard dominated the Otago Rally in their Hyundai i20. Photo: Geoff Ridder

Hayden Paddon has continued his domination at the opening round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, powering to an eventual winning margin of 9 minutes 22.1 seconds, a new record.

While Paddon was in a class of his own in his brand new Hyundai i20, the battle for the remaining podium spots would go down to the final stage, with Ben Hunt’s new Subaru WRX STI holding off a fast finishing David Holder’s Mitsubishi by just 18.4 seconds. Phil Campbell (Mitsubishi) and Andrew Hawkeswood (Mazda) rounded out the top five.

Sixth overall was enough to earn Richard Baddock the Dunlop Drive of the Rally award, entitling him to a set of tyres largely used amongst the front running competitors.

The Historic Category provided great drama when overnight leader Regan Ross had his foot slip off the brake pedal, causing him to leave the road, losing three minutes. That gave Marcus van Klink the class win over Tony Gosling, while Ross inherited third place when Jeff Judd left the road in the final special stage.

The open two wheel drive class went the way of ex-pat Welshman Anthony Jones, who led home evergreen Dave Strong and rookie Dylan Thomson.

By virtue of a perfect score, Paddon now leads the championship over Hunt, Holder, Hawkeswood and Campbell as the championship heads to Whangarei on April 29-May 1.

Otago Rally results:
Hayden Paddon/John Kennard 2:23:05.4
Ben Hunt/Tony Rawstorn +9:22.1
David Holder/Jason Farmer +9:40.5
Phil Campbell/Venita Fabbro +12:59.2
Andrew Hawkeswood/Jeff Cress +13:14.6

NZRC standings after round one.
Hayden Paddon 44
Ben Hunt 33
David Holder 29
Andrew Hawkeswood 22
Phil Campbell 20

HaydonPaddon_JohnKennard_OtagoRally2016_PhotoGeoffRidder_GR42716

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard celebrate victory at the Otago Rally. Photo: Geoff Ridder

MarcusVanKlink_OtagoRally2016_PhotoGeoffRidder_GR33328

Marcus Van Klink and Dave Neill secured honours in the BNT Classic Division. Photo: Geoff Ridder

       

About The Author

ABOUT THE NZRC

 
The New Zealand Rally Championship is this country’s premier nationwide rally championship. It attracts New Zealand’s best drivers to compete in numerous categories for the prestigious MotorSport New Zealand-sanctioned rally championship titles. In 2024, there are six NZRC rounds, each with a unique character reflecting the diverse regions – from Northland to Invercargill