Alltarmac victory first for Paddon

OTAGO driver Hayden Paddon has achieved most things in his rallying career.

But he had never won an alltarmac rally before the weekend.

Paddon and 18yearold codriver Jared Hudson won the Rali Ceredigion, in Wales, part of the Tour European Rally series for which the New Zealand star is an ambassador.

Driving a Hyundai i20 N R5, Paddon dominated the 13driver Rally2 category, and has gone to second in the TER standings after earlier finishing fourth at Rally di Alba in Italy.

Paddon, who is on his way back to New Zealand after his European excursion with his Cromwellbased team, was delighted to taste success in Wales.

“I’ve really loved this event,’’ he said.

‘‘I can honestly say that it’s one of the best rallies of its kind anywhere in the world. The stages are awesome and the atmosphere has been great, especially for the two runs through the town.

‘‘This is actually my first ever outright asphalt rally win, so I’ll just have to keep coming back to do it again.”

Paddon was once the new kid on the block and he was pleased to share the spotlight with Christchurch prodigy Hudson.

“I’ve been very impressed with Jared. This is a tough rally for a codriver and he’s done really well.’’

After taking the lead on Sunday’s fourth and final stage, Paddon consolidated his advantage over Monday’s eight stages to cross the line 38.7sec ahead of 2019 Rali Ceredigion winner Osian Pryce in a VW Polo GTi R5.

Driving a new Hyundai i20 N Rally 2, James Williams and

Dai Roberts finished third, a further 1min 25.3sec back.

The first leg of the rally was a new street stage featuring two runs through the town of Aberystwyth.

Competitors then headed inland for two considerably longer tests in the Ceredigion countryside which, tackled in the dark, were to prove decisive to the outcome of the rally when stage three leaders Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin rolled their VW Polo.

Paddon will now prepare for Rally New Zealand, back on the World Rally Championship schedule, in and around Auckland from September 29 to October 2.

Finnish wunderkind Kalle Rovanpera, chasing a place in sporting history, heads the entry list announced yesterday for Rally New Zealand.

Rovanpera (21), the WRC leader, could wrap up the title with codriver Jonne Halttunen at the 11th round of the championship.

He already has seven WRC victories to his credit in his fledgling career, and would become the youngest overall champion in the sport’s history.