New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon's Rally Finland is over, brought to a halt by mechanical problems early on the second day.
Paddon had started strongly, belting out a win on the opening stage in the Super 2000 class on Friday (NZT) but he faded to finish second at the end of the day, 1.5sec behind local driver and new SWRC entrant Esapekka Lappi.
Paddon says a small malfunction of an engine component has forced him out after just two stages of the event's second day on Saturday (NZT).
"Unfortunately our Rally Finland has not gone to plan, terminal engine failure putting us out of the event and a zero point score for the weekend," he said.
"It's bitterly disappointing, especially after how good the car was feeling and how easily the times were coming."
Paddon said the day had started well, but only 2km from the end of the 22.29km second stage, the car dropped onto two cylinders.
"We limped over the finish line, having lost around eight seconds in the stage, and regrettably we were unable to get the car back to service."
Rally rules say engines can not be replaced or internally repaired during an event as they are a sealed unit, and Paddon says that meant repairs couldn't be made to the new Baumschlager Rallye and Racing (BRR)-prepared car.
Irishman Craig Breen leads the rally after two days, 3.7sec ahead of second-placed Swedish driver Per-Gunnar Andersson.
Paddon returns to New Zealand next week, before heading back to the United Kingdom later in August to establish a new base for the reminder of the year.
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