They have fitted a noise maker, it seems.
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They have fitted a noise maker, it seems.
And the pov drone versus the Kona EV on the gravel hill climb.
https://www.facebook.com/haydenpaddo...41122807692141
I wonder how long before a drone is linked to each car at WRC events and in fact most likely carried/recharged by each car in between stages, released at the start of a stage and then brought back on board at stage end for the next cycle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humber
That video's great, and I like your idea. I do wonder when drone radio range, battery range and speed (in the case of fast rallies like Finland) will make that possible. I doubt you'd carry or charge it though. You'd only have time to switch out batteries/switch drones. While it'd be nice to watch, the cost starts to add up quickly - say ten top drivers get drones? So, what, two drones each, alternating on stages while the other is serviced/batteries switched. And you've got infrastructure and crew at the beginning and end of each stage to pilot, collect and service drones as well. You're basically running a POV drone rally...Quote:
Originally Posted by NickRally
WRC+ used to have a lot of drone action in 2017/2018 but they have disappeared since.
Paddon "realistic" over bleak WRC return prospect
Hayden Paddon says the prospect of him negotiating a works drive in the World Rally Championship is bleaker than ever.
Paddon "realistic" over bleak WRC return prospect
Paddon was forced out of the series at the end of 2018 after the Alzenau team signed nine-time WRC champion, Sebastien Loeb.
A programme had been tabled by then Hyundai Motorsport boss Michel Nandan but it was deemed too limited by Paddon.
Recent attempts by the New Zealander to plot a course back into the series have been stymied by a testing accident that prevented him from starting Rally Finland with M-Sport Ford two seasons ago.
The cancellation of Rally Australia later that same year due to bush fires was another setback for his aspirations, with plans to complete a four-rally programme in 2020 ended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paddon, the 2016 Rally Argentina winner, told Autosport the prospect of him successfully negotiating a drive in either the WRC or the WRC’s WRC2 support series between now and December was remote.
“To be honest, I would love to be back in the World Rally Championship – I would give anything to be back in the World Rally Championship – but I am also realistic," the 33-year-old said.
"We have been on the side lines for a while now and there’s several other young drivers coming through [the ranks].
“Negotiations with teams have somewhat stalled for now. The start of the season is always the busiest for teams.
"It’s only around mid-season that they start to think about the following year."
In between talking to teams to find a deal that works for both parties, Paddon has also been devoting a large amount of his time to developing an electric rally car based on Hyundai’s small Kona crossover.
He believes it is the future of the sport and reckons the technical know-how that he is learning in terms of packaging and performance could make him attractive in the role as a test and development driver.
From 2022, Rally1 cars will combine a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 100kW plug-in hybrid unit, with M-Sport Ford, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai Motorsport all busy behind the scenes.
“I would be really interested in a test role, and helping a team to develop their new hybrid systems, because I feel we are building our knowledge base quite well in that area at the moment,” said Paddon.
“I feel I could deliver [results] – but I’m not holding my breath.
“I still want to be involved, whether that is as a Rally1 driver, Rally2 driver or even just a test driver. I feel I still have a lot to offer.”
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/p...spect/5608691/
I suspect if that idea is to ever come to fruition, the whole process will have to be fully automated and there will be very little human intervention during a loop of stages, i.e, self guided drones, automated docking onto cars and so on. Talking about battery charging, if the power is there, they can be re-charged safely to full capacity within 5-10 minutes which is enough for most practical situations, while drone velocity does not have to be an object for a dedicated drone design.Quote:
Originally Posted by kirungi okwogera
THE ACE UP PADDON’S SLEEVE FOR WRC COMEBACK BID
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-a...comeback-goal/
In case someone already got excited, no, Paddon doesn't have any actual plans.
The major issue with drones is safety legislation. I don't know rules in other countries but I guess they are similar everywhere. In general they shall be flying in corridors where quite large distance from spectators is kept and where everyone inside the corridor (marshals for example) agreed in written form about the drones flying overhead. They must not fly over any crowd beyond visual line of sight of the pilot. Also if there are multiple high-speed flying drones over the couse of the stage there is a risk of collision which has to be addressed. I don't know if the commercial drones have some automatic collision avoidance system.Quote:
Originally Posted by NickRally
On Rally GB Shakedown in Clocaenog a few years ago, the official WRC drone operator shouted to us surrounding spectators that he was required to ask, 'does anybody object to me using the drone, if so speak now...'. I'm not sure what the laws are here regarding it, but that didn't sound entirely legitimate. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Yes, true, but on the commercial drones side apparently:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/31/amaz...-approval.html
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Prime-...ode=8037720011
FAA holds no authority over any WRC country. At best we can say that it's a first attempt and it will take some time for the other countries to observe how it goes.
No question, if it is to ever happen, it is some time away. Fingers crossed rallying still exists by then.
Paddon had the Hyundai Kona EV Rally car on display at the NZ Agricultural Show. (Also running a rally simulator in the Hyundai area)
Paddon's interview with the Show's online media staff.
https://www.fieldaysonline.co.nz/fie...on-demand-2021 (bottom of page "Hyundai Kona EV Rallycar with Hayden Paddon")
Paddon also made it 3 wins from 3 starts in the NZ Rally championship at the South Canterbury Rally today.
Was that the same guy that flew it straight into the tree and wrecked it! I don’t remember him asking if anyone minded, but the crash was hilariousQuote:
Originally Posted by the sniper
WTF HAPPENED TO HAYDEN PADDON?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNgNMBuxEg4
First time I watched something from that channel.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
+ I didn't actually remember Paddon started in GB 2019.
The start indeed wasn't impressive, slower than Greensmith in same car by quite a lot after 3 stages and crashing. Later it was okish, but not much wow.
- "Can't understand why Mikkelsen drove for Hyundai in 2019 and not Paddon"... Cause he had a 2 year contract while Paddons was ending, simple as that.
In the end it was Loeb who was hired "instead of" Paddon immediately. Kinda understandable since he is 9 times WC and most notably since he at that time just won Catalunya.
The more questionable point would be why Breen was called to drive Rally Finland 2019 and not Paddon.
- "Paddon will be hired by manu teams due to his EV experience once WRC goes full electric". Earliest WRC could go full electric is like 2025. Not because the technology isn't there, but because of at least a few years with current rules (I believe 3 years is minimum) that 3 manus already invested in. By that time it's highly unlikely they start calling Paddon.
https://twitter.com/HaydenPaddon/sta...626199553?s=20
Quote:
We had several attempts to be back again this year. Trying to fund a program on the other side of the world from NZ is so much harder. We are now working on some ideas for 2022 but taking a different approach.
Cool to see our livery in the new WRC10 game. We had several attempts to be back again this year, so not from a lack of trying. Trying to fund a program on the other side of the world from NZ is so much harder compared to European teams/drivers. Would have been very easy to give up by now, but that’s not an option. We are now working on some ideas for 2022 but taking a different approach. Let’s see what the next few months bring.
https://www.facebook.com/haydenpaddo...99026154912524
Ah, the facebook text is a bit longer (twitter doesn't mention giving up)
quitting is not in his make up
Haden Paddon is 2023 European Rally Champion! I think it's the first time ever for a non-European driver and first time ever for Hyundai.
Congratulations! :)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3-vkrtX...jpg&name=large
He deserved it!
Hayden Paddon is in Europe and his first event is the Donegal International Rally starting today. This is the biggest event in Ireland and over 3 days.
Live coverage on FB & YOUTUBE with On the Limit Sports.
https://www.youtube.com/live/maBs5m1...SdRlRtVsbEYQfk
(hes also doing ypress!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
jeeeez they have what? 15 secs interval between the cars? haha looks dangerous
It's 30 secs between cars, actually, which is quite common on tarmac rallies in the British Isles.Quote:
Originally Posted by saco0o
It seems less when you can watch a car go through for 10 sec...Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Boyd
BTW Paddon lost 9.3s to Armstrong on the first stage this morning. They have swapped places, Paddon now 5th, Armstrong up to 2nd Overall!
Reports that Paddon is off on SS13... crew ok.
Now says he had quite a bad roll.
Donegal Rally action & Paddon crash @12.05 ...
https://youtu.be/1JAJM5cuw8A?si=kE6SN9iY63RTfeEf
Very true - especially if you're near the end of a stage and the crew following has caught up some seconds on the car ahead!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Next event for Paddon - Ypres Rally. Entry list is here:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries...es-rally-2025/
Hayden Paddon:
"It’s P2 in Ypres - very happy with the weekend and while it’s not the win, it was an enjoyable and close fought battle with Stephane and the locals. Loved the rally and the roads! Big thanks to the BMA team for a faultless car and everyone that made the event possible for us. Big thanks to Jared who did a brilliant job on the notes.
No rest, on a plane tomorrow to prepare for next weeks Rally Queensland - round 3 of the Australian Rally Championship"
Final results:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/results...es-rally-2025/
Story on Down Under motorsport media this week.
I doubt there is the budget available from NZ alone for such a project.
https://speedcafe.com/motorsport-new...usive-details/
He could reach out to any chinese brand as this seems the right time to do it. He should forget about Hyundai as they are not giving a single fu**.
A Chinese brand in rallying would be highly unlikely.
The Chinese Auto-industry is in a consolidation phase, probably with lean operations & no room for luxuries like motorsport.
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/07/mo...to-extinction/
GWM this year has set up a small department in Australia for adapting their vehicles to Australian conditions.
https://www.drive.com.au/news/holden...-hired-by-gwm/
(With the closure of Holden & Ford & the Japanese brands manufacturing operations in Australia, the engineers went elsewhere to Tesla in the US for example)
Paddon's rallying has had Hyundai New Zealand (a separate operation from big Hyundai) as a cornerstone backer for many years.
Hayden shares thoughts on what it would take for WRC to return to New Zealand again
https://speedcafe.com/motorsport-new...nts-exclusive/
Might have read between the lines a bit on this video. Sounds like Paddon and Hyundai New Zealand are looking at what they can do together in the future when the WRC27 rules firm up.
Looks like temps are dropping down to -2C overnight where Paddon's workshop is, the reason for wearing the rally jacket.
Hayden Paddon - Hyundai Partnership (Hyundai New Zealand)
https://youtu.be/UzVkbp5sOxs?si=6_aKZ-8M-4-0KEkQ
Paddon and his team (& Hyundai NZ) seem to be the most positive of anyone about 2027.