Paddon targets Poland bounce back
Hayden Paddon is hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of retirement on the last two WRC rounds when the championship moves to Poland next week for round seven (30 June - 3 July).
The Kiwi, who drives for Hyundai Motorsport, followed the career high of a maiden victory in April's YPF Rally Argentina with the double low of crash-related exits in Portugal and Italy.
But as the action switches to the ultra-fast gravel roads of Poland, and then to the flat-out roads of Finland, Paddon feels optimistic about turning his fortunes around.
“We’re now going into a series of rallies that I really enjoy. Last year we came fourth and recorded some quick stage times in the 2015 car. We know this year’s New Generation i20 WRC car works very well in fast sections and Poland of course is a very fast rally with a lot of straights. I am really looking forward to it and to putting our previous two rallies behind us," he said.
Last week Paddon joined team-mates Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo for a four-day pre-event test in Poland that left him feeling ambitious.
"I think we can challenge right up the front, we’ve had a good test and the feeling is really good. We just need to make sure we have a good recce. We are going to push for a good result and give it everything,” said Paddon.
Hyundai Motorsport’s three-car entry for Poland sees Neuville and Paddon representing the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team, while Sordo will be the sole entry for Hyundai Mobis World Rally Team in this event.
