Paddon working on Fiesta rally return
Hayden Paddon is working on a deal to land a seat in an M-sport Ford Fiesta WRC before the end of the year.
Paddon’s dreams of a Rally Finland outing with the British squad were shattered by a testing crash three days before the start. M-sport confirmed the Kiwi was blameless in the accident and he is now working with the team to find a way back into the car as soon as possible.
Paddon flew home from Finland before the start of the event, having already lined up meetings with investors in
New Zealand.
Paddon told MN: “Even though we knew there was no chance of doing anything on the rally, John [Kennard, co-driver] and I had planned to do the recce, but then there was the chance to sit down with people at home to talk through the options, so I had to jump on the plane.”
Within hours of touching down in Auckland, Paddon was presenting potential sponsors and backers with fresh options.
“I don’t think I can manage [the backing I had for] Finland, but I’m working flat-out to put a package together,” he said.
“I will drive anywhere, on any rally for the rest of the year. I just want the opportunity to show what I can do. Even though I only worked with those guys for a short time, it was clear to see the ambition and the ability within the team. And, I have to say, the Fiesta felt fantastic from the first kilometre.”
M-sport team principal Richard Millener said the Cumbrian squad remained keen to find a way of getting Paddon back in the team.
“We want to help Hayden,” said Millener. “We were massively disappointed for him last week.”