ENCARNACION, Paraguay : Toyota’s Sami Pajari led Rally Paraguay after a turbulent opening day on Friday in which the lead changed hands four times as several World Rally Championship contenders encountered problems.
Pajari finished 11.9 seconds ahead of Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon, while championship leader and Toyota team mate Elfyn Evans was 56.3 seconds further back on the red gravel roads around Encarnacion.
Paddon had moved into the lead by midday after taking advantage of Toyota’s Oliver Solberg on the third stage, but a front-right tyre delamination cost the New Zealander time. Evans then inherited the lead before his right-rear tyre disintegrated, allowing Pajari to move to the front.
Pajari is seeking a third consecutive victory after winning rallies in Estonia and Finland.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta rolled on the opening stage, while Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville retired with damaged left-rear suspension. Reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier also ended his day on stage three after hitting a bank and suffering suspension damage.
All three drivers were expected to restart on Saturday.
“It’s been a dramatic day for almost everybody, with very few who haven’t had their fair share of trouble already,” Evans said.
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux was fourth, ahead of Ford’s Josh McErlean, while Paraguayan Rally2 driver Diego Dominguez was sixth in a Toyota.
Rally Paraguay is on the WRC calendar for only the second time. Evans leads the championship by 30 points over Pajari, with Katsuta a further 11 points behind.
