New Zealand's top rally driver Hayden Paddon is on the verge of becoming the first southern hemisphere driver to win a world rally title.
Paddon leads the Production World Rally Championship and if he wins the Rally of Australia, which starts at Coffs Harbour in New South Wales today, will seal the title with two rounds to spare.
Paddon has won each of the three rounds he's contested in Portugal, Argentina and Finland.
Having spent the past five years in Group N though Paddon says the goal, finance permitting, is to move into the Super 2000 category next year.
Paddon says it would cost about $1.5 million to run a Super 2000 campaign.
