Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard head into the first full day of the Royal Rally of Scandinavia with a tight 0.3-second advantage after topping this morning’s opening super special stage.
In BRC Racing’s Hyundai i20N Rally2, the reigning European Rally Champion completed the 2.23-kilometer mixed-surface test in Välsviken, Sweden, in 1 m 45.6s.
“It was a very sedate drive, very smooth and certainly wasn’t on the limit and could have been a lot quicker,” said Paddon. “We look forward to tomorrow now.”
Rain in the leadup to the stage made for a slippery surface, but a dry line formed throughout proceedings, benefitting those who started lower down the order.
Norway’s Mads Ostberg was second, ahead of Martins Sesks, Simone Tempestini and Jon Armstrong.
Oliver Solberg, who won the rally in 2023, was ninth fastest, exactly two seconds off the pace of Paddon and two-tenths quicker than his father, Petter Solberg, who completed the top ten despite smoke and flames appearing under his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 for most of the stage.
Friday’s action in Sweden begins with a 10.18 km pass on Gronlund before an 11.74 km run on Bondestad.
Teams then head north for the famed 6.43 km Colins stage, which features the Colins Crest, where cars jump up to 45 meters. The 12.09 km Gardsjo stage completes the morning’s action before a second pass on each run.
Saturday begins with a 5.83- km pass on Olme, which is followed by runs at Lungsund (20.20 km), Angebackstrop (14.76 km) and Molnbacka (13.18 km).
The event concludes with a second pass on each run, with the final pass on Molnbacka set as the event’s Power Stage.
Friday’s racing begins at 5.51 pm (NZST), and Saturday’s proceedings commence at 5.42 pm.
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Header Image: European Rally Championship
