Hayden Paddon Escort Mk2 onboard: Time for Tea?
Modern drivers hiding a talent shortfall beneath a veil of technology? Not exactly...
Obviously this is the sort of discussion that normally produces far more heat than light for the simple fact that, without a working time machine, we just can't know. But this video is confirmation that Hyundai WRC driver Hayden Paddon would be very quick indeed if he suddenly found himself back in 1975, and being strapped into a works Escort RS1800.
Paddon took a break from what's been a disappointing WRC season to drive the Otago Rally back in his native New Zealand last weekend. And although he was competing in the historic-regs Classic category, he managed to win the entire event outright - finishing just 2.5 seconds ahead of the second-placed Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Scotsman Alister McRae came third in the Classic in another Escort, and a commendable ninth in the overall classification, despite problems.
We like a bit of giant killing here, of course - last year we told you about the UK's own hero-in-a-mk2 Callum Duffy. But Paddon's achievement really stands out as the car he was driving was in pretty much period spec; no sequential gearbox or mega-power engine - just the sweet, sweet music of a hard-charging BDA.
This in-car footage from the first day is fascinating; Paddon is driving the Escort like a WRC car, sideways well before the apex of every corner. The fast section from 2:45 is particularly impressive, with the car flat in top gear for 40 seconds. Brilliant stuff, and confirmation that modern rally stars don't need four-wheel drive and clever differentials to impress.
Watch the vid here.
I refer you to this, what I wrote three years ago.
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Brilliant video though, cracking driving throughout.
Brilliant video though, cracking driving throughout.
I wish we could return to the days when top works drivers competed in a variety of disciplines - watching a really quick, young hotshoe (Jeez, I sound a codger) giving a non driver aided car like an Escort a true caning is a brilliant spectator experience. At a lot of historic events the cars are driven by their enthusiastic owners who are good, but not balls out like a young professional driver with a point to prove.
More please...
I nominate Mark Higgins to be given a Computervision Rover Vitesse for that 100mph lap of the TT course!
I wish we could return to the days when top works drivers competed in a variety of disciplines - watching a really quick, young hotshoe (Jeez, I sound a codger) giving a non driver aided car like an Escort a true caning is a brilliant spectator experience. At a lot of historic events the cars are driven by their enthusiastic owners who are good, but not balls out like a young professional driver with a point to prove.
More please...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWBOKD6fGu0
Whatever, sounds like the proper powerplant (and would likely have to be for classic rally eligibility).
That is driving.
Shame he lost 4th gear towards the end.
Yesterday however I was shocked to hear he had been killed a few weeks ago in a hillclimb accident. http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/motor-racing-... RIP and condolences to his family.
Mikko Hirvonen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__M4GAFHmEw
Roger Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wfSZLfcvvY
Ari Vatanaen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbl8LgLXwRo
Hannu Mikkola & Bjorn Valdegard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byK_p4GDddg
Enjoy
Otago Rally 2015 by Ben, on Flickr
It was one hell of a drive, the top few modern competitors were faster through most stages but had problems and he hustled the Mk2 quickly enough to pick up the pieces. Love that rally, great roads
You can also find video of Sunday's final stage here:
https://www.facebook.com/haydenpaddonwrc/videos/vb...
Though the camera seems to have been having some sound issues.
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