Hi

The last two days have gone well as we prepare for Rally New Zealand.  Yesterday we completed the last day of recce, which included all the stages north of Auckland and these are in the best condition that I have ever seen before.  We have a good set of notes put together from our 2 days of recce and I am confident they will work well.

After recce I had several more TV and radio interviews, both last night and again this morning.  Following this morning’s ones we completed the shakedown stage at the Auckland Domain.  This stage was the same as the tarmac super special stage that we will use as the last stage tomorrow evening.  As it is a tarmac test we did not have a chance to confirm the set-up of the car for the bulk of the stages, but it was a good opportunity to make sure everything on the car is operating as it should be.  With all the protruding objects and obstacles it meant there was a lot to lose and nothing to gain, so with this in mind we took it easy.

Tonight we have done the ceremonial start at the Viaduct Harbour where it has been great to see so many people out and to catch up with a lot.

I’m looking forward to getting into action tomorrow.  We have 8 stages in the Whangarei/Northland area, followed by the super special stage at the Auckland Domain.  As this is a long, 3 day event our plan must be to not only be fast, but consistent and to make no mistakes.  Stage 1 will be a matter of getting into the groove, then of making the most of some of my favourite stages before we return to Auckland.   We are running as car 17 on the road, so we should have a well swept line on the road surface by then, but it will be essential to make the most of it.

John and I just have a few more notes to go through and then it is an early night to make sure we are fresh for the morning.

Tags: rally

Posted in WRC
No Comments Yet Posted by Hayden Paddon