Bring it on time as Paddon lands ERC decider funding

Paddon moved to within touching distance of back-to-back ERC titles with victory on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion earlier this month. But he revealed at the finish of the Welsh Tarmac event that he didn’t have the funding to compete in Poland from 11 - 13 October.  

However, additional support from his Hyundai-powered BRC Racing Team means a Rally Silesia start is all but assured for the New Zealander and co-driver John Kennard.  

“Thanks to our team BRC, the final ERC rally in Poland is a go,” Paddon wrote on Facebook.  

Pirelli-equipped Paddon had previously spoken of his uncertainty about contesting Rally Silesia, saying he was “not sure [if we can get to Poland] because we’ve not got the budget but if we can get there it will be a different rally because it will be about collecting points and that makes me feel more positive where things are at.”

He continued: “We don’t want to give away a championship but, at the end of the day, I can’t pull money out of my backside. It’s not a cheap exercise what we’re doing and it’s a big commitment by our team and our sponsors. We’ll try [to get to Poland] but we’ll need to have a few discussions.”  

Paddon needs to finish fifth or higher in Poland should points rival Mathieu Franceschi take the rally win and set the fastest time on the Power Stage. If Franceschi wins and Paddon finishes ninth or lower then Franceschi would become ERC champion for the first time.  

As well as the additional support of Gabriele Rizzo’s BRC Racing Team, Paddon is organising a tour group of fans from New Zealand to travel to Rally Silesia to watch him and Kennard bid for the 2024 ERC crown.