New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon has defended his European Rally Championship title
with a more cautious drive than usual.
The 37-year-old finished third in the inaugural Rally Silesia in Poland, the final round of the championship.
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The former World Rally Championship competitor and his co-driver John Kennard led the asphalt event heading into the final day, but held back a little to keep safe over the last stages.
With a comfortable 27-point lead over his nearest rival Paddon did have a slight hick-up leaving the road in the penultimate stage, but covered to finish third.
"I wasn't going to risk the title by being drawn into a fight today," Paddon told the FIA afterwards.
"I just wanted to bring the car home. I knew what I was here to do and the title is hugely important.
"We've worked all year to achieve it. We've had our backs up against the wall for the best part of the season with a performance deficit but the team has been working hard to bring that back and we've brought it back during the last couple of rallies."
Paddon finished with 145 points on the standings, followed by Frenchman Mathieu Franceschi with 124 and Poland's Miko Marczyk on 109.