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Mid-season moments: Part 3

Before the second half of the season kicks off at Neste Rally Finland [28 - 31 july] we are asking for your help to rate our top five moments of the year so far.

Over the coming days we'll bring you three more nominees and from next Tuesday (19 July) you'll have the chance to vote for your favourite.

Our third nominee is one of the more dramatic moments from the year so far - and the second to star Hyundai's Hayden Paddon.

Mid-season moment 3: Paddon's fiery exit from Portugal

Shortly after the high of his maiden WRC victory in Argentina, Paddon hit the ground with a bump at Vodafone Rallye de Portugal, when his car was completely destroyed by fire following an off on the opening day.

Paddon's Hyundai i20 WRC hit a big hole in the re-run of Ponte de Lima stage and plunged backwards into the undergrowth. It wasn't a big crash but the consequences were as the exhaust ignited the vegetation.

The car burned out within five minutes and while Paddon and co-driver John Kennard were unhurt, they were only able to save their crash helmets from the burning wreckage.

Zdroj: wrc.com