New Zealand’s top rally driver Hayden Paddon and his co-driver John Kennard are eagerly awaiting the delayed start of this weekend’s Rally of New Zealand.
Due to an uncharacteristic lack of snow – and particularly ice – on the World Rally Championship’s only true winter, snow rally of the season, organisers delayed the reconnaissance runs where competitors get to travel the rally route and write their pace notes before the event.
This resulted in the cancelling of eight of the scheduled 21 stages, including Thursday night’s opening super special stage at the Karlstead trotting track.
Paddon and Kennard joined other competitors for the opening ceremony on Thursday evening (local time).
Paddon said on social media he was looking forward to this rally.
“Snow or no snow I’m really looking forward to this rally. Magic roads that resembles Finland (my favourite). Stud retention on the tyres will be difficult but that’s part of the challenge of our sport – it’s about adjusting to the conditions. Revised itinerary with the first stage in the morning.”
