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by **B1NZ** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:26 pm

http://rallyaustralia.com/nz%E2%80%99s-hayden-paddon-wins-pirelli-star-driver-asia-pacific-spot/

NEW Zealand driver Hayden Paddon is heading for the 2010 World Rally Championship as the winner of the Asia Pacific division of the Pirelli Star Driver program, announced today at Repco Rally Australia.

Paddon, 22, was selected by a panel of judges from five candidates representing New Zealand, Australia and China who contested a shootout as part of the World Rally Championship event in the New South Wales Northern Rivers.

He will be one of five drivers aged 27 or younger from the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Europe who will make the leap from their regional championships to the world stage next year in six rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship.

The Pirelli-backed program, in collaboration with the world motorsport governing body FIA, will provide a fully-supported drive in a Group N car, plus a full physical training and nutrition program and media and career management training at Edinburgh University in the UK. The prize is unofficially estimated to be valued at up to a million dollars.

“It’s pretty amazing to win the Pirelli Star Driver for Asia Pacific,” an excited Paddon said when his win was announced during the lunchtime service break.

“It’s a massive jump. It’s been my ultimate dream to be in the WRC and do well at it.

“But unfortunately money is a huge barrier, so the opportunity Pirelli is giving me is second to none.

“I’m under no illusions it’s going to be tough at WRC level, but we have to make the most of the experience. I’m looking forward to developing myself as a driver.”

John Kennard, co-driving for Paddon in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, said the young New Zealander had a strong future in the WRC.

“He’s an impressive young man. He had a three-year plan to win the New Zealand Rally Championship and he did it last year. He’s also leading the championship again with one round to go.”

Pirelli’s Motorsport Manager Paul Hembery said the Pirelli Star Driver scheme aimed to stimulate driver development outside rally’s traditional regions.

“We have seen from this year’s first intake of Pirelli Star Drivers that it’s been a great success. It takes away the financial barriers and allows talent to be recognised,” he said.

“It will not only help the Pirelli Star Drivers in the WRC, but competition for future prizes will itself stimulate interest in rallying in many countries.”

Drivers in the Repco Rally Australia shootout were Paddon, Chaodong Liu from China and, from Australia, Eli Evans, Nathan Quinn and Glen Raymond.

After contesting nine Special stages on Thursday night and yesterday morning, the drivers participated in a media conference at which their performance was judged by an expert panel.

The judges also assessed their performances in the pre-event shakedown, on the competitive stages and in personal interviews.

by **Infinite** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:57 pm

isnt this old news lol?

by **Mr Revhead** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:10 pm

was announced Sunday i think

by **Loudtoy** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:22 pm

Mr Revhead wrote:was announced Sunday i think

Saturdy iirc

by **B1NZ** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:12 am

Infinite wrote:isnt this old news lol?

Sorry old news police, I just saw this and thought others may be interested in seeing a kiwi with alot of talent doing well :lol:

by **fangsport** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:23 am

From the texts i got on Sunday nite from him, he is absolutely rapt with the result of his WRC Rally Australia campaign.

from the day i met him as a cheeky young 12-old, i knew he was determined to do better than his father Chris (NZ class champion), but to get to level he is now at, in such a short time, show the level of focus and determination he possesses.

The PSD programme , along with the Rally NZ programmes for ypung drivers, are really pulling some good young drivers out of the woodwork. NZ has always had good driver programmes for young circuit racers, who are now scattered all round the world plying their trade. it's aq shame the RNZ/PSD programmes weren't in place when the likes of Westy, Mason, Sumner, Gilmour etc were coming to the fore, with good backing i believe either of those could foot it with the best, Mason especially.

let's just hope for Hayden, Ralliart Italy can get some reliability out of the Evo X's they will be using.

by **Boost_4_Life** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:18 pm

I just love it how this has been all over the media, in the news, radio NOT :roll:

Its all F*cking rugby, makes me mad...

big ups to hayden though. that was a huge result at australia, beating all other PWRC drivers overall too for the whole 3 days. 9th overall i think?

by **fangsport** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:29 pm

Boost_4_Life wrote:I just love it how this has been all over the media, in the news, radio NOT

Its all F*cking rugby, makes me mad...

big ups to hayden though. that was a huge result at australia, beating all other PWRC drivers overall too for the whole 3 days. 9th overall i think?

unfortunately for Team Green, he possibly won't feature in the PWRC coverage either, as he was not registered for points in Rally Australia.

by **DRFTIN** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:36 am

ahhh 2nd guy i used to race with that ends up winning that :evil:

was pretty disappionted to see nothing at all about him when i saw this rally on the sports news
damn good effort by him and the team though
gone a long way since he rolled his beloved mini in an autocross and came storming back to the pits in a grump haha

by **Mr Revhead** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:55 am

news had a seperate piece about him before and after the rally

by **Loudtoy** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:35 pm

Mr Revhead wrote:news had a seperate piece about him before and after the rally

Your just lucky, i didn't manage to catch any of the rally news or otherwise, had to revert to trying to watch it on wrc.com - not very easy with slow country broadband

by **fangsport** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:57 pm

looks like he has won the NZRC for another year, i guess he only has S Canterbury rally and Westland left to add to the silverware.

by **B1NZ** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:29 pm

I noticed that Richard Mason was leading the PWRC in Australia for the most part, No coverage whatsoever of Paddon that actually beat all of the PWRC guys :evil:

Very talented young man that hopefully has a huge career in front of him

by **Mr Revhead** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:23 pm

the rally coverage is paid for by the championships, so if your not entered you haven't paid for it so you don't get it

Corolla FXGT · by **Brick** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:37 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQATHD-rU2M

by **fangsport** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:18 pm

Brick wrote::lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQATHD-rU2M

funniest thing about that video is the first 2 male passengers reactions.
the first guy has no issues lapping the Glen at 70-80MPH and deliberately hitting people,
and as for Hopper (many on here know his exploits), later in the video, he's as green as Paddons car!!!!!

by **Mr Revhead** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:28 pm

I guess some ppl just dont like being a passenger!
never understood why ppl get scared in the co-drivers seat on ride days... it's a bloody expensive car, he's not going to be going taking risks!

then again my first ride in a car on gravel with rally tyres, i got a fright. was damn sure the driver was braking waaaay too late! quite a surprising amount of grip with the right tyres!

by **matt dunn** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:18 am

Mr Revhead wrote::lol: I guess some ppl just dont like being a passenger!
never understood why ppl get scared in the co-drivers seat on ride days... it's a bloody expensive car, he's not going to be going taking risks!

I know that I can drive my car at a certain speed,
but put me in the passengers seat of someone even close to that speed and I don't like it at all.

Now that your in the same island as me I may get a chance to scare you outta my car at the track again one day.

by **B1NZ** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:02 am

matt dunn wrote:
Mr Revhead wrote::lol: I guess some ppl just dont like being a passenger!
never understood why ppl get scared in the co-drivers seat on ride days... it's a bloody expensive car, he's not going to be going taking risks!

I know that I can drive my car at a certain speed,
but put me in the passengers seat of someone even close to that speed and I don't like it at all.

I'm the same, My wife was scaring me at a sealed sprint yesterday, I found others to sit next to her in the next few runs, I'm not a very good passenger :lol:

by **Mr Revhead** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:10 am

[quote="matt dunn
Now that your in the same island as me I may get a chance to scare you outta my car at the track again one day.[/quote]

I accept that challenge :twisted:

Remember, I've been flat out on gravel, with a women driver!

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Hayden Paddon Wins Pirelli Star Driver Asia Pacific Spot

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