Canary Islands Rally – Hayden Paddon first leader

Traced in the streets of Las Palmas where the event is located with an original passage in a basketball hall, the SS1 of this second meeting of theERC in 2023 delivered some surprises. If Antonio Suarez had been the fastest during qualifying, this time he only set the 28th time, 11 seconds behind first leader Hayden Paddon.

Winner of the opening round in Fafe, the Kiwi leads the championship and he has assumed his status by taking control. The New Zealander is ahead of Andrea Nucita (i20) and Simon Wagner (Fabia). Author of disappointing times earlier in the day (16th in qualifying at 2″4) Mads Ostberg (C3) reacted with a 9th place more in line with his experience.

Also driving a Citroën, Yoann Bonato, 2nd fastest at the end of the morning just 0s behind the winner, did not take all the risks in this SS2 where there is often more to lose than to gain. The Frenchman is ahead of 1 ERC champion Efren Llarena and Fafe's hapless hero Mikko Heikkilä who conceded victory late in the race. rally. The Finn also had a tricky start (19th at 2″7). On the French side, Mathieu Franceschi obtained 19th place for his debut in the Canaries.

The rest of the first stage will take place on Friday (May 5) with just over 88 timed kilometers. A loop of 3 stages to be run twice is on the program. The start of the first section of the day will be at 11:28 a.m.