Paddon plans to steo up a notch

Rising star Hayden Paddon’s aim in today’s second heat of the Scenic Circle Rally of Otago is to “try and step it up another notch and try to inch in front of” yesterday’s heat one winner and series points leader, Richard Mason.

“It will be max attack,” says the team green Mitsubish Lancer Evo 9 driver who finished second behind Mason yesterday.

Paddon described yesterday’s competition as “very close,” despite Mason’s winning margin of just under 23 seconds.

“I was pushing hard all day trying to get any time we could, but the harder we pushed the harder Mason pushed.
“We lost 13 seconds to him on the first two stages, but on the remaining 74km of the next five stages we lost only nine more seconds, which illustrates just how close it was.
“(But) it was bit demoralising getting to the end of the stage knowing that you’d pushed hard, then finding out we’d lost another second or two.

“Although close competition is fantastic fun and really keeps us on our toes. It just shows that when the pace is so hot every corner and every second counts.

“Today’s six stages make up the longest day of the rally, with one monster 51km stage that will probably be the make or break point.”