Rally Silesia – Hayden Paddon on course for title, French in retreat

While a place of honour would be enough for him to retain the crown acquired last year, Hayden Paddon seems to want to add to it in style. Author of an excellent day, he leads a race in which Mathieu Franceschi (5th) and Yoann Bonato (8th) had complicated starts.

Published 12/10/2024 à 20:01

Loïc ROCCI

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Rally Silesia – Hayden Paddon on course for title, French in retreat

Hayden Paddon is on his way to his second European Championship title (Photo: Red Bull)

First registered in ERC, the Rally Silesia takes place in southern Poland a few kilometres west of Krakow. The first stage began on Friday evening with a 1,85 km superspecial in the city of Katowice. It continued today with a loop of 3 special stages to be contested twice before a new 1,5 km superspecial. In total, the competitors had to cover 96,74 km on Saturday for this final round of the season.

On very fast roads that got dirtier as the cars passed by, Hayden Paddon confirmed his performance from the previous round. At Ceredigion in Wales, he was untouchable and he seems to be in the same dynamic. Although the New Zealander left the superspecial to Mikolaj Marczyk, he immediately took the lead. Explaining that over the last two events he has found settings that suit him very well, Hayden won 5 of the 8 SSs run, building up a lead of 6s over an increasingly capable Andrea Mabellini (Skoda Fabia RS). While he doesn't even need to win to clinch the ERC title, the Kiwi is more than ever on track to retain his crown. He is all the more confident as his main rival for the title has not been very dangerous so far.

Having set out with the aim of securing a good result to close his season, Mathieu Franceschi had a mixed day. While his best time in the qualifying special had suggested that he had adapted the right settings on his Skoda Fabia RS, he struggled all morning to find grip. 6e At 26''9 at the end of the first loop, he appeared more comfortable in the afternoon without his position changing radically (5e at 42''3).

The situation was also difficult for Yoann Bonato. Back in the ERC after several months of absence, the Frenchman had a complicated Saturday on these sections offering little grip. Not feeling confident, he was not really able to fight for a good place and he is 8the tonight.

With rain forecast, the final round of the 2024 ERC Championship will take place on Sunday. 6 SS are on the programme for 81,56 km of timed stages.

Ranking at the end of the first stage

 

Loïc ROCCI

Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent

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