INDIA in F1

Tag: New Zealand

  • Paddon drives to fourth International Rally of Whangarei win; Sumiyama tops APRC field

    Paddon drives to fourth International Rally of Whangarei win; Sumiyama tops APRC field

    Hayden Paddon, winner of International Rally of Whangarei. Photo: Geoff Ridder

    Whangarei, 6 May 2018: Fastest across all 18 of the weekend’s special stages at the ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei, WRC driver Hayden Paddon and co-driver Mal Peden clinched in their Hyundai i20, here on Sunday. Paddon comfortably won the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the second round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) by a margin of 7mins, 26.3secs.

    “It’s been a a very good weekend. Everything has gone according to plan and I’ve enjoyed the roads up here. The others have also done a very good job, so the event has been great. I’ve been pretty comfortable with how everything has gone this weekend and it’s paid off,” said a measured Paddon, just before lifting the kauri trophy at the ceremonial finish.

    A total of 29 cars returned to Whangarei for the ceremonial finish at the quayside town basin. Of the four international entrants, only two made to the finish after today’s eight special stages, held south of Whangarei.

    APRC topper Yuya Sumiyama. Photo: Geoff Ridder

    Running second to Paddon after the first three of the weekend stages ex-pat Kiwi Mike Young and co-driver Malcolm Read were unable to resume competition for today’s final leg, after retiring on the Saturday with radiator damage in their Toyota Vitz. Fuyuhiko Takahashi and co-driver Mitsuo Nakamura (Subaru) left the road in the morning’s third test while a mistake in the earlier loop of today’s stages by overnight leader Fabio Frisiero and Simone Scattolin in their Peugeot allowed Yuya Sumiyama and Takahiro Yasui to climb ahead in their Skoda Fabia. Sumiyama finished 11th overall while Italy’s Frisiero finished 15th.

    “I’m very very happy but very very lucky. The roads have been very fast, and I have liked the weekend. Today I just tried to go faster and I am lucky to win,” said Sumiyama.

    Contesting the New Zealand roads for a third time in his career, Frisiero said the level of competition was very high: “I’m feeling a lot better this afternoon and I’ve enjoyed it so much. It’s been the best. We tried to catch Sumiyama this afternoon but it was impossible, he was just too fast and congratulations to him for getting the win.

    “It’s also been a surprise for us to even be here, and in this position so I’m extremely happy. The roads have been very slippery and narrow in some places but very fast. You have to know the roads to be able to drive them fast and my compliments go to the NZ drivers who went very fast.”

    Standing alongside Paddon and Peden on the podium was Auckland’s Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn (Subaru) while Australian Rally Champion Nathan Quinn and David Calder (Ford) finished third, a further 1m04.6sec behind Hunt.

    “It’s been a fantastic weekend. To get second at Otago and second here in Whangarei is an awesome result for the team and the car – that’s come a long way. I love the roads up here and the way we hop in and out of them is fantastic – so overall it’s been a great event,” commented Hunt.

    Celebrating 30 years of APRC competition, the internationals ship their cars to Australia for the series second round: 1 – 3 June. The NZRC series heads back to the South Island for the 3 June running of the Lone Star Canterbury Rally.

    ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei Results (Top-10 Overall, provisional): 1. Hayden Paddon / Mal Peden, Hyundai i20; 2. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn, Subaru WRX +04:02.4; 3. Nathan Quinn / David Calder, Ford Fiesta +05:03.3; 4. Emma Gilmour / Anthony McLaughlin, Suzuki Swift +05:08.5; 5. Dylan Turner / Sarah Breenan, Audi S1 +05:16.4; 6. Josh Marston / Andrew Graves, Holden Barina +06:04.2; 7. Eugene Creugnet  / Philippe Delrieu, Mitsubishi Lander +06:12.0; 8. Regan Ross / Samantha Gray, Ford Escort +07:27.5; 9. David Holder / Jason Farmer, Ford Fiesta +08:00.7; 10. Marcus van Klink / Dave Neill, Mazda RX8 +08:07.1.

    FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship: 1. Yuya Sumiyama / Takahiro Yasui (Skoda Fabia); 2. Fabio Frisiero / Simone Scattolin (Peugeot).

  • Paddon takes commanding lead after first day of International Rally of Whangarei

    Paddon takes commanding lead after first day of International Rally of Whangarei

    Hayden Paddon at full blast in International Rally of Whangarei. Photo: Geoff Ridder

    Whangarei 5 May 2018: Wanaka’s Hayden Paddon and co-driver Mal Peden park their Hyundai after today’s eight special stages at the ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei holding an advantage of 4mins, 02.4secs. Placed second at the overnight halt is Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn in a Subaru while third is Emma Gilmour and Anthony McLoughlin in a Suzuki.

    Opening the six-round FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the second round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC), the event is contested across 277 kms of fast, flowing Northland New Zealand roads.

    Starting Friday night with a double-run of a 1km long Super Special Stage, Paddon set the scene taking a near 5-sec lead into today’s eight high-speed tests, held north of host city Whangarei.

    Autumnal weather conditions included fog for the opening stages, causing angst for some. While Paddon added a further 38 secs on the field after the opening test, it caught out Australian pairing Richie Dalton and Dale Moscat who left the road at speed.

    Mechanical issues then slowed leading international entry Mike Young and Malcom Read in the Toyota Vitz, eventually grinding them to a halt mid-morning after sitting second overall behind Paddon.

    Fabio Frisiero. Photo: Geoff Ridder

    The journey returned the teams to Whangarei for a midday service break before repeating the loop of stages in the afternoon. Paddon again set fastest time in each test to stretch his advantage. Italy’s Fabio Frisiero and Simone Scattolin in the Peugeot head the international field, 19th overall with Yuya Sumiyama and Takahiro Yasui from Japan 21st, in a Skoda.

    “I’ve been really happy with how today has gone. We were trying to look after the tyres this afternoon and manage the through the stages with them. It’s been a really enjoyable day and everything has gone according to plan. With the slightly different stages tomorrow we will hopefully manage to keep pushing on and hopefully maintain what we have gotten from today,” said three-time winner Paddon after the day’s action.

    “This afternoon has gone a lot better on the second time through. It’s been a surprise to be leading international but we’re happy,” said Frisiero. “As the day has gone on, our confidence got better. Our feeling for the car got better and so did the grip. Hopefully, we will be able to keep it going for tomorrow.”

    With the pleasant weather set to continue, Sunday’s remaining eight stages take the teams south of Whangarei. Starting at 7am, the journey heads south through Waipu Caves and Millbrook areas before heading west and north through Waiotira and back to Whangarei for a service break mid-morning. Following the late morning-early afternoon repeat run, the cars then arrive back in Whangarei for the ceremonial finish, to be held at the Quayside Town Basin from 3pm.

    ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei – top-10 Overall (provisional): 1. Hayden Paddon / Malcolm Peden (Hyundai i20, 01hr, 34mins, 56.2secs); 2. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn (Subaru WRX Sti) +04:02.4; 3. Emma Gilmour / Anthony McLoughlin (Suzuki Swift) +05:03.3; 4.  Nathan Quinn / David Calder (Ford Fiesta R5) +05:08.5; 5. Dylan Turner / Sarah Brennan (Audi Quattro S1) +05:16.4; 6. Graham Featherstone / Dave Devonport (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII)  +06:04.2; 7. Josh Marston / Andrew Graves (Holden Barin) +06:12.0; 8. Grant Blackberry / Ric Chalmers (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X) +07:27.5; 9. Geof Argyle / Joelle Eyre (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII) +08:00.7; 10. Matthew Jensen / Kieran Anstis, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX) +08:07.1.

  • Back-to-back international rallies for Mike Young

    Back-to-back international rallies for Mike Young

    File photo of Mike Young at WRC Australia. Image by Geoff Ridder

    Bengaluru: The Coffee Day India Rally 2017 , the last round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) will be organised by Motor Sports Club of Chikmagalur (www.mscc.org.in) at the stages near Chikkamagaluru from November 24 to 26.

    New Zealand rally driver, Mike Young, is preparing for two back-to-back international events in India and Australia in November. After the APRC, he will rally at the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Kennards Hire Rally Australia.

    Young will drive a Volkswagen Polo R2 in India with Malcolm Read in the co-driver seat, and Dunlop tyres as the duo are familiar and comfortable with how the package will perform on the notoriously difficult Indian stages.

    “I am so excited to get behind the wheel of the Volkswagen in India, thanks to Volkswagen India and GT Tuner’s Bengaluru. The Volkswagen is FIA R2 spec, so is a 1.6 litre car with a sequential gearbox and I think it will suit the narrow and twisty roads well,” said Young.

    “The roads are actually run in the coffee plantations along the narrow access roads. It’s quite mountainous and the average speed can be as low as 50 kilometres per hour. Plus add rock-lined banks and lots of trees, and you have a very tough environment but that’s why I think the nimble VW will be so good.”

    Both Young and Read enjoyed the buzz of the Indian event based in Chikmagalur last year and vowed to return this year after finishing second overall last year and winning the Group N category.

    “It is a very cool experience I must say. There is a crazy amount of spectators at every junction or spare piece of road. The first super special stage is a real highlight because thousands of people watch us fly around the Amber Valley School football field on a man-made track, which is very unique,” continued Young.

    Co-driver Malcolm Read from Hamilton is also looking forward to the events with Young and said he’s excited to compete with Young again, especially in India.

    “Mike and I haven’t had a lot of events together this year so I’m really looking forward to doing two rallies back to back. He’s a great driver so I’m sure he will adapt quickly to the front-drive Volkswagen and after our experience from last year I sure we can get another good result,” said Read.

    Fans can follow Young’s progress, and support his campaign by purchasing MYM merchandise through his Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mikeyoungmotorsport).

    Young’s campaign is supported by Cusco, Mike Young Motorsport, Dunlop, Yoda Rallying, Excelerate Media, APSM and Winnmax.

    Young is arriving in India on Nov 20 and will attend the Official Press Conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday Nov 21.

    eom/inputs from Young’s release