Hayden Paddon in action during the Shakedown in Sardinia. Photo / Getty Images
Kiwi driver Hayden Paddon has posted the fifth fastest time in the opening super stage of WRC Italy on the island of Sardinia.
Paddon set a time of 2:02.7s through the 2km test on Thursday night (local time) in his Hyundai.
He was 0.9s slower than teammate Thierry Neuville, who
was the fastest driver through the stage.
Ott Tanak (Ford, Dani Sordo (Hyundai) and Elfyn Evans (Ford) were all slightly quicker than the Kiwi while four-time world champion Sebastien Ogier set the same time as Paddon.
The rally gets under properly with the first full day overnight with eight special stages across the rough and dusty terrain on the sun-baked island.
