Paddon dominates Daybreaker as Hunt takes title lead
Hayden Paddon has romped to a dominant win at the Daybreaker Rally while Ben Hunt has taken control of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship lead.
In wet and challenging conditions, Paddon showcased his world class ability to power his Hyundai New Zealand Rally 2 car to a six-minute win over Hunt and set up what now looks to be a two-horse race for the 2024 title.
Hunt will take an 18-point advantage over Paddon to the fifth round next month.
Youngster Zeal Jones produced a superb drive to secure his maiden NZRC 4WD podium in third place in his Smith & Sons Skoda Fabia R5.
It was a nightmare event for the man who led the championship coming into the second half of the season – Robbie Stokes – who suffered mechanical problems throughout the day that saw retire his Stokes Motorsport Ford Fiesta AP4.
Australian Brendan Reeves finished fourth in the Hyundai New Zealand i20 AP4 while Emma Gilmour completed the top five in her Vantage New Zealand Citroen C3 and Haydn Mackenzie was sixth in his Toyota Yaris.
Dylan Thomson continued his stranglehold on the NZRC 2WD class, as he overcame an overnight deficit to win his class by two and a half minutes.
Bryn Jones (Ford Fiesta) held off a fast-charging Jack Stokes (Ford Fiesta) for second place while Tim Mackersy’s debut in his new Ford Fiesta Rally 4 earned him fourth place in the class.
Dave Strong took full advantage of Open 2WD championship leader Willy Hawes’ (Toyota 86) mechanical issues to claim maximum points in his Honda Jazz. Hawes was able to limp to the finish line to collect some valuable points.
Paul Fraser powered his Ford Escort to another full complement of points in the Historic 2WD class, while Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi Lancer) was second to stay in the title fight.
Andrew Graves proved his class in the Rally Challenge 4WD class as he made a successful first venture onto North Island roads.
Graves won the class in his Mitsubishi EVO 3.
James Macdonald (Subaru Impreza) took an impressive second place while Jay Pittams earned a solid third place finish in his Subarua Impreza.
Title contender Caleb MacDonald dropped time later in the day and then couldn’t get his Mitsubishi EVO 6 back to the finish in a costly problem.
Pat Norris has thrust himself into Rally Challenge 2WD class championship contention with a first place in his Toyota Yaris.
Defending champ and current class leader Jarrod Parker was forced out due to a gearbox issue in his Toyota Corolla.
The championship has a three-week break before heading further north to the Bay of Plenty next month.
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