Hayden Paddon has extended his lead atop the 2024 European Rally Championship standings with a fifth-placed finish in Rally Estonia.
The reigning champion entered the event equal on points with Mathieu Franceschi but is now ten points clear of the Frenchman, who finished ninth in the latest round.
Having topped the opening Super Special Stage, Paddon was immediately on the back foot on the first full day of action, dropping 41 seconds on SS2.
The BRC Racing Hyundai i20N Rally2 finished the first run of Raanitsa with steam pouring out after a “big nosedive over a jump halfway through the stage,” which dropped him to 16th.
Repairs from co-driver John Kennard before SS3 allowed the Kiwi to bounce back strongly and top the stage, climbing back to 13th, 34.1 seconds behind early leader Georg Linnamae.
He would minimise his losses over the remainder of the day’s stages in treacherous conditions to sit sixth overall entering the final day, even after bending his car’s steering after striking a rock on SS9.
Local Robert Virves led compatriot Linnamae overnight to the tune of one second.
Engine issues for third-placed Mikko Heikkila on SS12 ultimately led to the Finn’s retirement, elevating Paddon into the top five.
Virves extended his lead to 9.3 seconds over Linnamae ahead of the final Power Stage, but the latter responded in difficult conditions to recover 11 seconds and clinch the rally dramatically.
Fourth-placed Mads Ostberg finished 1m21s behind the leading locals and 36 seconds ahead of Paddon.
The European Rally Championship returns with Rally di Roma Capitale on July 26-29.
Header Image: European Rally Championship
