Paddon eyes top finish to tough year
Kiwi Hayden Paddon is looking to finish a tough season on a positive note at Rally Australia.
The 30-year-old has had a rollercoaster ride in 2017, having had to retire from four of 11 WRC events and is languishing in 10th place in the drivers’ championship.
Paddon has managed only one podium, with a second in Poland, followed by a fifth in Mexico. A combination of mechanical gremlins, driving mistakes and bad luck have plagued his campaign.
He also appears to have slipped down the pecking order at Hyundai Motorsport with the arrival of Andreas Mikkelsen and was benched for the Spanish Rally.
The European-based Paddon has said little of his plans in 2018 but is contracted to Hyundai for another year.
He and co-driver Seb Marshall are hoping to draw on the positive vibes of Kiwis in Coffs Harbour, as well as the 100 supporters on an exclusive Paddon Rally Sport tour.
‘‘It’s the sixth time I’ve contested Rally Australia, but the first time for Seb, so we want to enjoy the whole rally. It’s been such a tough year that we need to use this event to build towards 2018.’’
Paddon said it was as close as he got to home. ‘‘While the roads are quite different to New Zealand, with the number of Kiwis that come over, it feels a little like a rally at home and generally makes it feel more relaxed.’’
Paddon said if it stayed dry they had a really good road position [10th] that they could take advantage of.
‘‘Early forecasts are showing that we could expect a bit of rain this year. That could throw a curve ball as is not something we normally expect here.’’
Paddon has finished in the top six in Australia for the last three years.
Paddon and Marshall will use the preevent shakedown tomorrow to fine tune the car for the forecast conditions, before the rally gets underway on Friday morning.