Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon isn't spending much time licking his wounds, after crashing out of Rally Portugal in spectacular fashion.
The Hyundai driver was airlifted to hospital on Saturday (NZ time), after trying to avoid a big rock on a corner and sliding into a ditch. He and British co-driver Seb Marshall emerged relatively unscathed, but Paddon was eventually taken to hospital, after complaining of back pains.
But he insists the duo will be fine to take on Rally Sardinia in two weeks.
"It's certainly one of the biggest stops I've had," he admits. "I've had some old injuries in the past in the back, so it was just a matter of making sure everything's all good.
"We've got a couple of quieter weeks now, just to make sure we're fit and well for Sardinia, but there'll be no problem getting back in the car.
Kiwi Hayden Paddon airlifted to hospital after Rally Portugal crash
"We'll be there with bells on to make amends for this weekend. We'll probably have a slightly different plan of attack, probably just allowing a little bit more margin for rocks on the road if it's a bit rough.
"It's difficult to do in WRC these days because it's so intense and flat out, but we have to find that one percent of margin to allow for that."
Paddon explained that the rock had been on the same corner earlier in the event, but had shifted further out onto the road.
"It compromised my apex," he said. "Instead of being a fast fourth-gear corner, it became a slow fourth-gear corner.
"We were just too fast into the ditch on the outside and there was a culvert that stopped the car instantly. It happened so quickly and there was a massive impact in the car, but the amount of damage to the car is quite minimal."
Paddon, 31, has limited opportunities this year's World Rally Circuit, with the Hyundai electing to rotate drivers across the series.
After finishing fifth in Sweden three months ago, he has cooled his heels back home, waiting for his next chance to impress. Paddon and Marshall were leading in Portugal, before their mishap and are determined to make up for that lost opportunity next month.
"It's frustrating, because we had no moments at all during the day," he reflected. "Everything felt safe and under control, so for one corner like that to undo it all is frustrating.
"There's no point in being fast for just one day, you have to put it all together and be there on Sunday afternoon. We haven't been able to do that.
"But we're confident and still backing ourselves. Everything's feeling good in the car, So we've got to stay positive and put it right in Sardinia."
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