The South Canterbury rally driver Haydon Paddon has won the production class at the Rally of Argentina, to take the overall lead in the second tier competition of the world rally competition.
Paddon, in a Subaru, finished almost eight minutes ahead of his nearest rival.
He now shares the overall lead in the class with Mistubishi driver Martin Semerád, despite having competed in one less event than the Czech.
The production class win in Argentina is Paddon's second this season and the 7 minute 50 second margin, is the largest-ever win in the class.
Paddon finished ninth overall in the rally which was won by seven time world champion Sebastian Loeb.
Paddon is now returning to New Zealand to prepare for July's Rally of Whangarei, which he has won three times before.
After that he'll compete in the world rally championship round in Finland.
