Paddon wins again as weather bites

Bad weather is starting to make its presence felt in the Hawke’s Bay Rally, with Special Stage 2 starting 25 minutes late and organisers saying communications – essential for the timing of the event – being disrupted significantly by the building storm.

Mitsubishi Lancers continue to set the pace with Hayden Paddon winning his second test of the morning, again from Chris West. Both are in Evo 9s.

Hawke’s Bay driver Stewart Taylor was third on SS2 in another Evo 9, and was followed by Richard Mason (Subaru Impreza WRX STi).

Rising star Callum McInnes has leapt into the top six, finishing the test sixth in his WRX, then came Brett Martin (Evo 9), Emma Gilmour (WRX) and Dean Sumner (Evo 9).

Speeds on the 34.67km SS2, Waihi 1, were significantly down on last year. Sumner won the test then, at an average of 106.56mph. Paddon’s winning speed this morning was 98.99kph, showing the effects of the bad weather.