Motorsport: Paddon sets sights on WRC glory

Hayden Paddon has lofty ambitions for next season. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon is looking at a full world rally championship programme for next year after hitting his goal of finishing top three in the world production championship (PWRC) in his debut season.

Paddon shrugged off mechanical problems to finish third at the weekend's final round of the series, Rally Great Britain in Wales, and in the process claimed third overall in the PWRC - the best performance by a New Zealander in the series.

Paddon, who won the New Zealand leg of the series, scored a total of 97 points over his six counting events, just three short of Swedish runner-up Patrick Flodin.

Portugal's Armindo Araujo scored 126 points to win his second straight PWRC title.

The 23-year-old Geraldine driver and Blenheim-based co-driver John Kennard had issues with their car in the rally's opening two stages, but managed to set reasonable times.

With small set-up changes, Paddon said the car's handling and pace improved.

"Unfortunately we didn't get a further chance to press on as halfway through that stage we hit a big rock, which smashed a trailing arm on the rear suspension."

From his overnight position of seventh, Paddon struggled with handling issues on the repaired car on day two, but kept tweaking and pushing throughout the day to take his only stage win on the day's final run, and improve his PWRC position to fourth.

Overnight rain made the third day's stages very wet and as cars passed, the roads became increasingly muddy.

"It was a matter of setting a steady pace to get to the finish," Paddon said. "When fellow competitor Martin Semerad crashed out in the morning we were elevated to third which, after lying seventh at the end of day one, we wouldn't have thought possible.

"The result was a small consolation after another 'what could have been' event, but nevertheless the learning experience has been massive and will put us in good stead for future WRC events."

Paddon now turns to preparations for the 2011 season, seeking to establish his own full world championship programme.

- NZPA