Motorsport: Paddon set to fly in Poland

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard took second place in Rally Sardinia. Photo / Vettas Media

Kiwi duo eager to build on surprise second at round six’s speed-friendly course.

New Zealand World Rally Championship pair Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard are relishing taking on the hard-packed and fast roads of Rally Poland this weekend. This is round six of the series and the duo are keen to build on the monumental success of their podium finish at the last round at Rally Sardinia.

In clinching second place three weeks ago Paddon and Kennard became the first Kiwis to stand on a WRC podium outside New Zealand. They had been aiming for a top five finish all year and are looking to build on the momentum in Poland. Paddon led the rally for 15 stages and, at one stage, looked like he might just be able to hold on to take the win. It wasn't to be though - clipping a rock caused damage to the car and Paddon had to come off the pace to ensure they made it to the end.

"In all honesty I don't think we had enough in us to keep in front of Sebastien [Ogier] in a street fight," said Paddon after their first recce.

"The result was unexpected and I'll take second any day, and it was a good confidence booster.

"If anything, it takes a bit of pressure off and it shows the team we can get the results, and will help when it comes to negotiations for next year and things like that. We've always believed we could do it, but probably not in Sardinia."

The Polish roads are more suited to the fast, furious and high-paced approached to rallying that is Paddon's natural style. With the roads being sand-based and hard, the rally shouldn't be too hard on the cars or tyres. An added bonus is that Paddon has received a few more upgrades for the car and is coping well with the paddle shift introduced recently.

"The roads are really good this year. They're hard-packed and fast and quite similar to New Zealand in many ways. I love the stages we've been over.

"With the paddle shift you use the gears more and it aids how you drive the car. You can use more gears through the corners to get into the right torque zone with the engine.

"Last year I didn't mind the event but it wasn't near one of my favourites. This year though, the stages are some of the best for my style of driving. But in this championship there are several other drivers who also like the fast stuff and often the margins are so small between the cars. Every 10th of a second will be important."

The event takes place in the Masurian Lake District north of Warsaw. Today has three stages that are driven twice, and there are just two stages tomorrow.

With the majority of the stages being new to all the drivers, Paddon and Kennard should be in their element.

WRC points

1. Sebastien Ogier ........133
2. Mads Ostberg ............67
3. Andres Mikkelsen ......64
9. Hayden Paddon .........53