It was an up and down weekend of motor sport for the New Zealanders racing abroad. For some it was their first mechanical failure and for others it was a clean race and a win.
Hayden Paddon who, despite mechanical dramas in the past has always managed to limp home and gain a few points, did not this time, unfortunately.
Paddon and his co-driver, John Kennard, arrived in Finland for round four of the FIA WRC S2000 championship, leading the chase for the title. The Kiwis made a solid start with their new team, the Austrian outfit Baumschlager Rallye & Racing (BRR).
But a small widget in Paddon's engine let go, forcing the pair to coast to a halt after two stages on day two of the rally. Rules state engines cannot be replaced, or internally repaired during an event.
Paddon has dropped back to second in the championship behind P G Anderson, and he's now six points off the pace heading to the next round, Wales Rally GB, from September 13-16. "It is bitterly disappointing especially after how good the car was feeling and how easily the times were coming," said Paddon.
