Co-driver compares Paddon to McRae

18th October 2011

By Giles Wade

Production Car world champion Hayden Paddon’s co-driver John Kennard says the New Zealander’s approach behind the wheel is similar to that of rallying legend Colin McRae.

Subaru Impreza driver Paddon clinched the PWRC crown with his fourth win out of four starts in Australia last month. Kennard is a former employee of Prodrive, the company responsible for running McRae’s Subaru team in the world championship back in the 1990s, and is a big fan of the 24-year-old Paddon.

“Inside the car the demeanour of Hayden and Colin is so similar,” said Kennard. “I had rides with Carlos [Sainz] and Colin during my time with Prodrive but Colin was always the calm one, leisurely and never flustered. That’s what Hayden is like.”

Despite having already secured the PWRC crown, the terms of Paddon’s registration means he must contest the season-closing rallies in Spain and Great Britain. He prepared for this week’s round in Spain by winning Rallye de Tierra Baja Andalucia in a Calm Competicio Ford Fiesta by more than two and a half minutes last weekend.