Geraldine's Hayden Paddon has had his first taste of an Evo X - the car that will be his WRC campaigner this season.
He was lent the latest-model Mitsubishi by fellow rally driver Sloan Cox during a shared test day last weekend.
Paddon appreciated getting a feel for the car before he begins testing one with his Pirelli Star Driver (PSD) team in Europe this week.
"They are a totally different car, which is obvious from their appearance, but also their power distribution and their great handling capabilities.''
Paddon (22) and co-driver John Kennard left for Edinburgh on Tuesday to meet the four other PSD recipients. The five elite drivers then joined the 30 to 40 Ralliart Italia personnel, who will run their 2010 season, in Italy.
Paddon left behind the Mitsubishi Evo 9 his Team Green has rebuilt in the off season and will first step into it for Rally New Zealand - held a fortnight after the first of his six Pirelli-sponsored events, Rally Turkey.
He hopes his dedication will be reinforced by the efforts of the three mechanics and one engineer assigned to him.
"We are used to having a bit of what I'd call a family team. Now we are going to a professional outfit which works day in and day out on cars.''
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