Paddon’s championship dreams

Hayden Paddon is pleased with his debut WRC season; he’s gaining top flight experience and has shown the ability to compete at the highest level with consecutive top-10 finishes and eight championship points under his belt. The Kiwi rally star took some time out from his preparations for Rally Australia to talk to Under Construction 

What do you think about your season so far?

So far the season has gone exactly as planned; we started steady and have improved rally by rally. The team has been very happy with our progress, and we have been competitive against our more experienced teammates in the past two events.

What has been the biggest learning curve stepping up to the WRC?

The quality of the competition. We’re learning that at this level, you have to push yourself and the boundaries further, while limiting the mistakes – there’s no room for error!

What’s been the highlight of your season?

Our last event in Finland was certainly a highlight; we were regularly setting times in the top five, and were leading our Finnish team mate, Juho Hänninen, until a power steering failure on the final day.

What are your goals for the remainder of the season?

We need to keep improving and get closer to the leaders. Rally Australia is an event I’m really looking forward to, and one that I feel we can be more competitive on. Ultimately, the goal of this year is to secure a contract for next year.

Are you targeting a podium finish at Rally Australia?

A podium is maybe still a little far away because of the level of competition, but a finish in the top five would be great. Even that will be no easy feat, but we have prepared well and will certainly be pushing hard.

What are the differences between the Hyundai i20 and other cars you have rallied in?

Being in a WRC car, there are several differences – the two most obvious are the extra power and the increased aerodynamics of the car. The i20 is an amazing car to drive, and every single component of it is designed for the job.

How important has PlaceMakers’ sponsorship been in shaping your career?

This is our fourth year with PlaceMakers; their partnership has helped us move through the ranks and get where we are today. Without the support and belief of NZ companies and shareholders, we wouldn’t be here now, doing something that many said was impossible to achieve from our part of the world. We haven’t finished yet, though! Our ambition has always been to be World Champions, and it’s what we continue to work hard towards, alongside PlaceMakers.