6 Jun 2014

Hayden Paddon on the pace in rally opener in Sardinia

8:45 am on 6 June 2014

The Geraldine driver Hayden Paddon has got his WRC factory drive underway with a 13th place in the opening Super Special stage of the Italian Rally in Sardinia.

The opening stage was a 1km sprint around the streets of Cagliari.

Paddon is the number 3 driver for the Hyundai factory team and this rally is the first of 7 he will compete in this year.

Paddon is 4 and a half seconds behind Finn Mikko Hirvonen in a Ford.

Paddon says it's good to finally get into the groove and he's really, really looking forward to tomorrow's 8 stages.

Paddon's team-mate Thierry Neuville was second fastest today with championship leader Sebastien Ogier third.