Paddon takes points’ lead into ERC’s Czech weekend

FIA European Rally Championship leaders Hayden Paddon and John Kennard will aim to protect their points’ advantage on the tarmac stages of Barum Czech Rally Zlin. The Kiwi pairing hold a seven-point lead over their nearest rivals with three rounds – all on tarmac roads – remaining. After taking the taking the lead of the points during the gravel rounds of Sweden and Estonia, the i20 N Rally2 lost ground to their rivals at Rally di Roma Capitale, setting up a tight battle through the final part of the season. Paddon was able to join the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing department for a development test following the Italian weekend, so should be able to take some the extra experience onto the Czech stages. As is always the case with the FIA European Rally Championship, the regulars in the international series will have to beat not only each other for victory, but also a number of local crews, including Czech Rally Championship regular and i20 N Rally2 customer Martin Vlček, who share his entry with co-driver Jakub Kunst.