With seven stages run, BRC Racing Team’s defending ERC champion is 6.1sec ahead of second-placed Andrea Mabellini (Team MRF Tyres) after he was able to grow the 1.0sec advantage he held following the first four stages during the afternoon loop in a dry but chilly southern Poland.
“It was a good, clean run,” Pirelli-equipped Hyundai i20 N Rally2 driver Paddon said at the end of SS7. “We’re just enjoying the driving and not pushing the limits at all.”
Simone Tempestini holds third place for Team MRF Tyres ahead the Silesian Stadium super special after he demoted home hero Miko Marczyk for the final podium spot on SS6.
Mathieu Franceschi (pictured below) moved ahead of Grzegorz Grzyb for fifth place on SS7 after the ERC title contender made multiple set-up changes at midday service to “have more precision” behind the wheel of his Michelin-shod Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
However, by making it a double stage win on Gmina Jasienica, Jon Armstrong has closed to within 4.0sec of Franceschi and 1.2sec of Grzyb as he continues to recover from the delay on SS2 caused by a technical issue.
“It was a really good push through there again,” the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 driver following his stage best on SS7. “It’s difficult to do a stage so well again when you’ve done it well in the morning. But it’s nice to see that stage time so let’s see where we can get to.”
Yoann Bonato (pictured below) is eighth followed by Polish championship leader Jarosław Szeja and Zbigniew Gabryś.
SS7 was red-flagged after Meirion Evans crashed his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 at high speed. Although he and co-driver Jonathan Jackson were uninjured, with the road blocked at the 15.6km mark, rally officials were forced to stop the action.
After six stages, Swedish drivers Mille Johansson (Ford Fiesta Rally3) and Calle Carlberg led FIA ERC3 and FIA Junior ERC respectively with Opel Corsa Rally4 driver Carlberg also ahead in ERC4.
The 1.50km Silesian Stadium super special is due to start at 19:30 local time.
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