Hayden Paddon benefited from people power to top the order on the opening stage of Rally Islas Canarias, round two of the 2024 FIA European Rally Championship.
With 8000 fans filling the Gran Canaria Arena, plus thousands more watching from the outdoor sections of the 1.80km SSS1 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paddon delivered the ultimate display in precision driving to set the benchmark time of 1min 30.5sec aboard his Pirelli-equipped Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
Yoann Bonato is a two-time winner in the FIA European Rally Championship after a sublime drive to victory at Rally Islas Canarias on Saturday.
With fellow Frenchman Benjamin Boulloud co-driving, Bonato started leg two 11.0sec in front of European championship leader Hayden Paddon. He eventually triumphed by 36.9sec following a day dominated by the changeable weather conditions – and some seriously close competition throughout the field.
The stage is set for the first asphalt round of the 2023 FIA European Rally Championship, Rally Islas Canarias. Taking place from 4 – 6 May, the event has challenged ERC drivers and their teams on 30 previous occasions and this year’s edition, the 47th, will be no exception.
Nil Solans is in need of a strong result at Tet Rally Liepāja this week (1 – 3 July) if he is to keep his FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) title hopes alive.
