Paddon claimed victory in the Ceredigion Rally with a margin of nearly two minutes ahead of Italian driver Andrea Mabellini. Mabellini, driving a Skoda, moved up to second place on the final stages, overtaking Frenchman Mathieu Franceschi.
This win was Paddon’s first of the season in the ERC. It also strengthened his position at the top of the ERC standings, with only the season-ending Polish tarmac event remaining in October.
Paddon also won the Power Stage, securing the maximum points haul from Wales. Before the final rally of the season, Paddon holds a solid 27-point lead in the ERC standings. In practical terms, Franceschi, who is second in the standings, would need to score maximum points at the Silesia Rally while Paddon would have to finish without points.
“A relief, its been a very tough season, Not from a lack of trying, we’ve been lacking some performance but to put it right this weekend quite comfortably, massive result, big thanks to everyone supporting us at home,” Paddon said.
“The feeling is great, the positive is we are on the road, I don’t know what can happen in Poland.” Franceschi added.
Polish driver Miko Marczyk finished fourth in the Wales round, further solidifying his third-place standing in the series. Ford driver Jon Armstrong climbed to fifth after a tire puncture on Saturday, finishing ahead of Callum Devine and Osian Pryce.
Max McRae won the junior class in Wales, but the second-place finish was enough for Sweden’s Mille Johansson to secure the junior championship title. The title grants Johansson a place in the WRC’s junior category next season.
“The relief is immense. The season was perfect, and the team has done an amazing job. I want to thank everyone who has supported me. I can’t really find the words,” Johansson expressed.
Ceredigion Rally, results:
| POS. | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hayden Paddon | Hyundai | 1:38.59,0 |
| 2. | Andrea Mabellini | Skoda | +1:47.3 |
| 3. | Mathieu Franceschi | Skoda | +1:50.8 |
| 4. | Mikolaj Marczyk | Skoda | +1:54.5 |
| 5. | Jon Armstrong | Ford | +1:58.4 |
| 6. | Callum Devine | Skoda | +2:10.8 |
| 7. | Osian Pryce | Ford | +2:32.9 |
| 8. | Matt Edwards | Ford | +2:40.2 |
