Ten questions
to: Hayden
Paddon

How did you get into rallying? “Rallying is in my blood, with dad driving well before I was born. So it was the environment that I was brought up in. I first started karting when I was six. I competed in my first rally as soon as I got my licence when I was only 15.”

What was your first ever car? “Before I started rallying I did a lot of time trial events which you can do from the age of 12 in New Zealand. For this I had my MINI, which I not only learned the craft of driving in but also the basic mechanics and preparation of a car.”

Who was your childhood idol and why? “Colin McRae. I used to watch the video of him winning the 1995 WRC title over and over again and this is probably what has inspired me to do the same thing. He never gave up, fought the odds and no matter if he was last or first, he always gave it 110 per cent.”

Do you play any other sport? “Not so much as rallying now takes up most of my life as does the constant battle to find funding. I do like to play a little golf when I have the time but generally I enjoy watching or playing most sports.”

Which three people (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to a dinner party and why? “Firstly, it has to be Colin McRae, I never had the chance to meet him but always looked up to him. I would also invite Possum Bourne, again I never met him but he was a big icon for rallying in New Zealand. Lastly, Michael Schumacher. He’s a legendary Formula One driver and I really admire how he came back to the sport and is doing it because he purely enjoys it.”

What is your favourite holiday destination? “I quite enjoyed my time living in Barcelona, but nothing beats New Zealand, especially in the summer camping.”

What three words best describe you? “Dedicated, focused and humble.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now? “Hopefully I’ll still be in the WRC and winning rallies on a regular basis. We still have a long way to go but that’s what we are working very hard towards.”

And finally, what's your most embarrassing moment? “It probably has to be last year on the Vodafone Rally de Portugal podium after winning the Production Car World Rally Championship category. I was in front of a large audience and live TV and I jumped off the bonnet to go spray the team with champagne, but instead fell flat on my face...”

Photo: Honza Fronek