Paddon Update: It's bitterly disappointing!
Hayden Paddon writes....
Unfortunately our Rally Finland has
not gone to plan, terminal engine failure today putting us out of the
event and a zero point score for the weekend. It is bitterly
disappointing especially after how good the car was feeling and how
easily the times were coming. We certainly had a lot in reserve as we
got more used to the car and this is something encouraging to take
forward as we now look towards our next round in Wales Rally GB in just
over 4 weeks.
The day started OK, with a good clean run through the opening stage. The
second stage was then going better, matching the splits of the
Volkswagen cars and pulling away from our nearest championship rivals.
Unfortunately only 2km from the end of this stage, the car dropped onto 2
cylinders. We limped over the finish having lost around 8 seconds in
the stage, but we were unable to get the car back to service.
Super Rally (Rally2) rules say that engines can not be replaced or
internally repaired during an event as they are a sealed unit, so we are
unable to make repairs to re-join tomorrow. We do know that it is a
small malfunction of one of the components through no fault of anyone.
Despite the disappointment we must focus on the positives, and I think
we will now be able to show a lot more speed at GB, and we will be
targeting to put a good battle to the VW drivers. A huge thanks to our
BRR team who all did a great job throughout the weekend, and to everyone
that helped make this weekend possible including the directors of HPRG,
John, Katie and Kim. It was also great to have the support here from
Nana and a couple of Kiwis travelling along with Rallytours.
Now we have a day of spectating tomorrow which is not the side of the
fence that I would like to be on, before flying back to New Zealand
early next week for some sponsor engagements. Then it is back to the UK
which is were we will base ourselves for the rest of the year.
Currently Craig Breen is leading SWRC from PG
Andersson, and I admire Craig for the performance that he is putting in
under the circumstances. Despite our retirement, with results how they
stand, the three of us will all be separated by 7 points, so the
championship will be a good fight all the way to the end.
Thanks for all your support and I promise you we will be working very hard for a top result in GB.
Thanks,
Hayden
See also
- Over and out for Paddon in Finland
