An incredible year

Kiwi rally champion Hayden Paddon adds WRC debut to his year of accomplishments.

It’s been a challenging yet rewarding year for New Zealand’s 26-year-old rally champion Hayden Paddon. Contesting as many WRC2 rallies as his budget would allow, while dominating the championship back home, he and co-driver John Kennard topped off the year as the first Kiwis to compete in a new-generation WRC car at Rally Espana.

The Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team handed the pair the opportunity to compete with the WRC big boys after setting a string of impressive times in their WRC2 S2000 Skoda Fabia.

The talented duo gave the three-day event their best shot and, with only a short tarmac test run in the Ford Fiesta, finished a creditable eighth place after improving their performance dramatically over the weekend.

Despite starting last in the field of 12 competitors and having slight difficulties adapting to the car, Paddon and Kennard had a solid start and were “loving every minute of it”.

Going into Day 2 in ninth place, the Qatar M-Sport team continued to help Paddon adjust the car to suit his style and it paid off – the pair made some steady gains on the leaders, going from 1.1 seconds/km behind the stage winner to 0.6 seconds/km.

Heading into Day 3, Paddon was excited but apprehensive about racing on his normally preferred gravel surface, given he’d only tested the Ford Fiesta on tarmac.

“It’s a fantastic car and was really enjoyable, but the gravel made it feel different to anything I’d ever driven before, making it difficult to build confidence,” said Paddon.

Adapting the set-up to suit his driving style for the afternoon loop, Paddon upped the pace and finished eighth overall.

“A huge thank you to PlaceMakers for helping make this opportunity possible,” he said. “It has been an amazing experience and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Paddon said the event was a huge learning curve and is confident that, with more time in a WRC car, he and Kennard can be competitive.

“Onwards and upwards,” he said. “We will do our best to be in a WRC car next year.”