Paddon sneaks clear of Pedder

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 25 May 2025

The Forest Rally has gotten off to a hot start with Kiwi Hayden Paddon holding off Scott Redder in an intense opening day.

The Australian Rally Championship returned to Western Australia for round two and two drivers were a cut above the rest.

In a high quality field that contains the Bates brothers, Swede Tom Kristensson and Toby Price, Paddon and Pedder were flying on another level.

After the opening heat it was Paddon, who clawed onto the early high ground.

Heading into the deciding day, Paddon and co-driver John Kennard hold a 12.3s lead over Pedder.

Emerging best of the rest and more than a minute back was Lewis Bates with brother Harry forced to fifth due to another former WRC driver Kristensson.

The Swede got off to a flying start, kicking off his ARC cameo perfectly by taking the opening stage by less than a second over Paddon.

Harry Bates suffered the first blow with a sensor issue seeing him receive a 1m20s penalty on Stage 2.

However, the Toyota champion still finished the next stage on top.

Kristensson’s momentum was slowed by a puncture on Stage 3 and he lost crucial minutes.

Pedder saved his assault for after the midday service and hit the overall lead.

However, Paddon hit back emphatically by taking the final two stages to reclaim the lead heading into the final day.

Finishing the day in sixth overall was Clayton Hoy and Erin Kellyin the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6 to top honours in the WOLF Production Cup.

RC 2WD Classic Cup Heat 1 Winners Nick Box and Caleb Ash finished ninth for the day.

Superstar Toby Price and Holli Kilbride had a solid opening day to be in 12th overall and topping in the Subaru WRX Challenge class.

In other classes, it was Timothy Hiles and Noah Humble who took out the ARC 4WD Classic Cup, Gary Mills and Shaun McMacken claimed the ARC 2WD Cup and teenager Jackson Long finished all six stages to get maximum points in the ARC Junior Cup.

The Forest Rally continues with a further six stages making up Heat 2 from 11:22am AEST.

Image: ARC

Forest Rally Heat 1 results

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Paddon sneaks clear of Pedder

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