New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon overcame being stuck in a snow bank on the first day to finish fourth in his class at the Rally of Sweden.
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard, competing on the snow for the first time, were happy to complete the three-day rally which ended on Monday (NZT) after a lengthy delay on the opening day that saw them fall to sixth place in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship.
They improved to fourth of the second day and then held on to their position for the final day.
"Fourth is not a bad result, all things considered, and gives us good points on the board to start our season," said Paddon who had made some tweaks to the set-up of his Skoda Fabia to improve its performance.
"I am now very determined that once we get back to our favoured surface of gravel for our next event in Portugal that we will have a different and more competitive package which will involve a lot of hard work and homework over the next five weeks."
The pair were 23rd overall in the Swedish rally won by Finn Jari-Matti Latvala. The Rally of Portugal starts on March 29.
NZN