Pitstop: Crash slows driver

Hayden Paddon. Photo / Getty Images

Albany Toyota driver Haydn Mackenzie is a doubtful starter for the first round of the BNTV8 Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway on November 5-7. During the off-season, to keep himself fit, Mackenzie has been racing a motocross bike but during a recent race he crashed, breaking his left hand. His team has been working hard over the winter months to rebuild his car for this year's championship.

Paddon takes on France

Young Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon will be attacking the roads of the Alsace region in northeast France this weekend with a view to overtaking Armindo Araujo and move into second place in the Production World Rally Championship. Rallye de France has moved from its long-time home on the island of Corsica to Strasbourg in the Alsace region near the German border.

Hanley asked to step in

Kiwi open wheel racer Chris van der Drift's race to get fit after his crash at Brands Hatch continues but it's increasingly unlikely he'll be able to race again this season. Ben Hanley has been drafted in to finish the series for Van der Drift's Olympiacos team in Superleague Formula.

Loeb on point of title

Sebastien Loeb has a chance this weekend to win his seventh World Rally Championship in France. There's nothing the Frenchman would like better than win his home rally and as it's primarily a tarmac event, he's odds-on to clean up.

Stepney given 20 months

The former Ferrari engineer who was embroiled in the spying scandal back in 2007, Nigel Stepney, has been handed a 20-month jail sentence by an Italian court. Stepney plea bargained and also received a $1100 fine. Stepney is unlikely to do any jail time.

UNDER THE HOOD

Former world 500cc motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner says defending MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi should pack the season in. The Aussie is well known as a bloke who'd ride through any amount of pain, but he has suggested Rossi give the rest of the season a miss and get his shoulder repaired.