This was what New Zealand ace Hayden Paddon found out the hard way during the opening round of the EROAD Australian Rally Championship at Toyota GAZOO Racing Rally Canberra.
Paddon is aiming to join Possum Bourne as a New Zealand title winner across the Tasman and he got off to the perfect start by winning the opening heat.
Gunning for a clean-sweep, Paddon crested a hill during the opening stage of Heat 2 to find a kangaroo in the middle of the road and was unable to avoid it.
“We’re done,” he exclaimed immediately after the incident as significant damage was caused to the radiator and engine.
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard were left to rue bad luck after making a great start in Heat 1 and continuing this form early in the opening stage of Sunday’s action in what is one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent history.
Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin broke their Canberra duck to take victory for Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia in a GR Yaris Rally2.
Second for the weekend was multiple Australian champion Scott Pedder back by experienced co-driver Glenn Macneall in the Pedders Suspension Skoda Fabia Rally2, while Harry Bates and Coral Taylor rounded out the overall podium in the second GR Yaris Rally2.
The Forest Rally in Western Australia is next up for the EROAD Australian Rally Championship on May 22-25.