Hayden Paddon wins in England

Le pilote néo-zélandais de 35 ans peut boucler sa valise avec le sourire. Revenu en Europe à la mi-juin après plus de deux ans d’absence, Hayden Paddon a disputé 5 courses au volant d’une Hyundai R5 (4^e in Alba in Italy) then an i20 Rally2. With it, he was able to demonstrate that he still knew how to ride fast, finishing 6^e in Liepaja in ERC and 3^e in WRC2 in Finland, a championship where he had not appeared since Wales 2019. Not everything was rosy during this tour since he also had to withdraw from Estonia after testing positive for covid. For his ultimate rally in Europe before returning to Geraldine in his South Island to prepare for New Zealand (29/09-2/10) Paddon did not take the easy route by going to discover Rali Ceredigion in Wales. This 6^e round of the English championship was run around the coastal town of Aberystwyth over 141,07 km timed divided into 12 stages on asphalt. Immediately on the pace with his i20 R5 from the Alabatec team, the New Zealander took the top step of the podium and only gave it up during one section. Paddon therefore won his very first success on the tarmac of his career in front of all the candidates for the English title. If Hayden was satisfied with this victory, his co-driver, Jared Hudson, is not about to forget this trip. At 18, it was indeed his very first experience outside of New Zealand.