HAYDEN PADDON WILL DRIVE A MODIFIED HYUNDAI I20 WORLD RALLY CAR AT LOTOS 72ND RALLY POLAND (2-5 JULY), AS HIS TEAM SEEKS A SOLUTION TO THE GEARBOX MOUNTING FAILURE THAT ALMOST STOPPED HIM IN SARDINIA.
Paddon’s car was damaged in Italy after a heavy impact with a rock pushed the sump-guard into the transmission, breaking one of two gearbox mountings and leaving the engine and transmission system hanging loose.
It was a problem the team had seen before on rough rallies, most recently on Dani Sordo’s car at Rally Guanajuato México. Modified components were fitted to the cars of Sordo and Thierry Neuville in Italy but Paddon still had the earlier spec car.
“In common with M-Sport we found that if the car is hit really hard at the front there can be some damage to transmission parts,” team principal Michel Nandan told wrc.com.
“The gearbox is held in place by two bolts and brackets welded to the chassis legs. Most of the cars are like this, but it seems it is a problem we have more than the others. On our car the mechanical parts are close to the sump-guard and although we try to get as much clearance as possible, this is a risk.”
“We have now developed a front suspension which is a bit different. The other two cars had it in Italy – but not Hayden’s. It’s something new which should avoid this sort of problem. He will have it from Poland.”
