Hayden Paddon has narrowly won the 2022 Ashley Forest Rallysprint from rival Sloan Cox in a hard-fought contest just outside Rangiora in North Canterbury.  It’s the third win at the event for Paddon and the first in his fully electric Hyundai Kona EV, setting the fastest time of 55.54 seconds, just 0.38 ahead of Cox’s Mitsubishi Evo Hillclimb Special.

“It was very stressful, and we had to work for it,” commented Paddon.  “We did the Waimate 50 and Coronet last year however this event is more of a mission because you need pure performance here.

“It’s (Hyundai Kona EV) been a three-year project and a huge effort by the team.  Obviously, some challenges we have faced with the world-wide shortage of parts so there is a lot more to come from the car. “

The two-day event organised by the Ratec Motorsport club, saw competitors qualifying on Sunday morning for the elimination run-offs in the afternoon starting with the top 32 in order to find the top 16, eight, four and finally down to the two quickest runners.

The fastest four saw Paddon and Cox go up against Gareth McLachlan (Mitsubishi VR4) and Neil Webb (Mitsubishi Mirage).

Finishing second did not faze Cox who was thrilled to have got through to the final and to have been so competitive.

“I loved it,” commented Cox.  “The car ran the best it has all weekend.  I made a few little mistakes but thrilled with how it went.  Happy with how close it was as we both know that there is more in this road when it dries up.”

Chris Hey (Toyota MR2) won the Unlimited 2wd class in a time of 1:05.82 beating home local Ari Pettigrew (BMW 318) (1:07.37).

Bert Murray (Mazda RX7) (1:09:39) won the Classic 2wd class from Stuart Reid (Ford Escort Mk2) (1:10.22)

The 1301-1600cc class win went to Kerry Sloan (Toyota Starlet) in a time of 1:13.19 beating home Tim McDonald (Ford Escort Mk2) (1:16.02).

Chris Herdman (Toyota Starlet) won the 0-1300cc class in a time of 1:13.62 from Paul Roughan (Toyota Starlet) (1:14.85).

Paddon now prepares for the WRC Rally NZ in two weeks time competing in his new Hyundai i20N R5.

Written by Benjamin Carrell

Click Here for Results.

Click Here for Cross Car Results.

Article added: Monday 19 September 2022