Motorsport: Paddon 'feeling good' for Portugal

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard struggled after an early off in Rally Sweden. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand Production World Rally Champion Hayden Paddon, and co-driver John Kennard, are confident of a better showing this weekend in Portugal for Paddon's second S2000 event.

The flying Kiwi battled in the opening round in Sweden when trying to find the right set up in the pair's new car in the tricky snow conditions.

A solid fourth place allowed the Kiwis to get a foothold on the S2000 championship ladder and this weekend they have a much more sorted car and a newer engine. The pair completed a successful two-day test in the south of Spain on a gravel stage similar to a typical Portuguese stage.

On the test days they had a mix of wet and dry conditions, allowing them to find the different set-ups that work in different conditions. Driven caught up with Paddon after the first day's recce and he's in a buoyant mood.

"We're feeling really good. We've just finished recce and had a good look at all the roads," he said.

"Some of them are great and some aren't, especially the rough ones.

"Everything about the car is really good. We made some really good developments in the last week and with the new engine and upgrades."

While sitting fourth in the championship is no doubt a good thing after round one, Paddon is keen to grab the maximum amount of points this time out before heading to New Zealand for his home event in June.

"We have to close the points this weekend on the leaders and the goal this weekend is to win ... if we can win here, and then in New Zealand, it gives us the upper hand in the title race."

Asia Pacific hits homeRally fans will head north this weekend to the roads in and around Whangarei for the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC).

Forty-nine teams from 10 countries will go head-to-head on the gravel roads of the region, with local drivers up against some of the world's best.

Chief among them will be top-rated APRC drivers Australian Chris Atkinson and Indian Gaurav Gill, driving Skoda S2000 cars for Team MRF, Swede P-G Andersson and defending APRC champion Alister McRae, from Britain, in their Protons and former APRC winner Karamjit Singh.

"I haven't won this event before and really want to this year," said McRae. "It's a difficult event and I think it's going to be very competitive. Obviously I want to win it but it's important to get points for the championship.

"The car this year has more torque and so power [making] it more drivable and we should be able to improve on our fourth place last year."

The locals won't be rolling over though, with defending NZRC and 2011 runner up Emma Gilmour capable of taking it to the visitors.

Gilmour will contest the event in the Subaru Impreza WRX STi she drove last year but have a new co-driver, Brisbane-based Anthony McLoughlin.

"It's always great contesting an event with a few names from the world stage in the mix," said Gilmour.

"To be honest, though, my main attention this weekend is going to be on beating my national championship rivals. The car is in tip-top shape and feels really good."

Gilmour will not be concerned about the full-time APRC driver, as in 2009 the former No 1 female rally driver was second in the championship to team-mate Cody Croker.

A solid result in Whangarei will provide the series start Gilmour wants.