1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,707 Speaker 2: The Ashley Forest Rally sprinters on this weekend now doung 4 00:00:15,787 --> 00:00:18,307 Speaker 2: the order in Canterbury are fast and challenging one point 5 00:00:18,307 --> 00:00:22,387 Speaker 2: seven kilometer gravel hill climb first held in nineteen seventy 6 00:00:22,507 --> 00:00:24,787 Speaker 2: nine and since then it has become one of New 7 00:00:24,867 --> 00:00:28,467 Speaker 2: Zealand's most iconic motorsport events, attracting many of the country's 8 00:00:28,467 --> 00:00:31,827 Speaker 2: top drivers as well as international names over the years. 9 00:00:31,907 --> 00:00:35,667 Speaker 2: As well. New Zealand's most successful rally driver, Hayden Padden, 10 00:00:35,987 --> 00:00:38,707 Speaker 2: is a regular competitor at Ashley Forest. He's won at 11 00:00:38,787 --> 00:00:42,267 Speaker 2: five times, more than anybody else twenty eleven, twenty nineteen 12 00:00:42,347 --> 00:00:44,947 Speaker 2: and each of the last three and has the course 13 00:00:44,987 --> 00:00:48,467 Speaker 2: record of fifty two seconds flat, which he set in 14 00:00:48,627 --> 00:00:51,787 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three. Hayden Padden is with us. Is this 15 00:00:51,827 --> 00:00:52,987 Speaker 2: one of your favorite events? 16 00:00:54,547 --> 00:00:57,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's certainly a favorite one for sure, just particlarly 17 00:00:57,347 --> 00:00:59,587 Speaker 3: with the history and it's a very different format to 18 00:00:59,627 --> 00:01:01,627 Speaker 3: the type of events we normally do, but it's a 19 00:01:01,627 --> 00:01:03,467 Speaker 3: lot of fun and a lot of adrenalins. 20 00:01:03,787 --> 00:01:06,907 Speaker 2: You first competed here as a fourteen year old. That 21 00:01:06,987 --> 00:01:09,747 Speaker 2: must have been one of the first significant events in 22 00:01:09,787 --> 00:01:11,227 Speaker 2: your motorsport journey, was it. 23 00:01:12,107 --> 00:01:13,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, seems like a long time ago, but especially on 24 00:01:14,027 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 3: my fourteenth birthday as well, driving my dad's roller. And yes, 25 00:01:17,747 --> 00:01:20,107 Speaker 3: it's quite humbling just to remember what we've done in 26 00:01:20,107 --> 00:01:21,947 Speaker 3: the last twenty years since then and they come back 27 00:01:21,987 --> 00:01:24,347 Speaker 3: with our own team and cars and continue to enjoy 28 00:01:24,347 --> 00:01:24,747 Speaker 3: this event. 29 00:01:25,347 --> 00:01:27,467 Speaker 2: So how does it work, Hayden? Across the weekend? How 30 00:01:27,507 --> 00:01:28,707 Speaker 2: many cracks do you get at it? 31 00:01:30,067 --> 00:01:32,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, so it's a different format to I rally, to say, 32 00:01:32,467 --> 00:01:36,307 Speaker 3: elimination format, so like today is qualifying and then tomorrow 33 00:01:36,347 --> 00:01:38,347 Speaker 3: we go in and the shootout. So top thirty two, 34 00:01:38,667 --> 00:01:42,587 Speaker 3: sixteen eighty four and two, so nothing predictable. Even if 35 00:01:42,587 --> 00:01:44,627 Speaker 3: you're the fastest car around, you still want to get 36 00:01:44,627 --> 00:01:47,307 Speaker 3: to reach around with no problems and I guess you 37 00:01:47,307 --> 00:01:48,987 Speaker 3: know that's what adds to the excitement for the fans 38 00:01:48,987 --> 00:01:49,987 Speaker 3: and for ourselves. 39 00:01:50,267 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 2: Absolutely. So you're still alive as we speak, presumably. 40 00:01:54,907 --> 00:01:57,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, everything's gone well. So we've done two qualifying runs 41 00:01:57,347 --> 00:02:00,347 Speaker 3: so far, another two to go today with it's not 42 00:02:00,387 --> 00:02:02,907 Speaker 3: looking so good tomorrow, which is not good for us 43 00:02:02,947 --> 00:02:05,827 Speaker 3: trying to try to beat our record but in saying that, 44 00:02:05,867 --> 00:02:07,347 Speaker 3: you just got to play on the conditions that were 45 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:08,987 Speaker 3: handed and you know, we're trying to do the best 46 00:02:09,027 --> 00:02:10,387 Speaker 3: job of can today while the weather's good. 47 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:13,067 Speaker 2: You know that record fifty two seconds flat and your 48 00:02:13,147 --> 00:02:16,347 Speaker 2: Hyundai I twenty ap four and twenty twenty three. As 49 00:02:16,427 --> 00:02:20,267 Speaker 2: you as you're driving, do you know your your close 50 00:02:20,347 --> 00:02:23,747 Speaker 2: to record speed or does that only occur to you 51 00:02:23,787 --> 00:02:25,307 Speaker 2: once once the clock stops. 52 00:02:26,347 --> 00:02:28,707 Speaker 3: Yes, it's a stufficord rilling because you're obviously on your own. 53 00:02:28,947 --> 00:02:30,947 Speaker 3: You don't have those reference points of other cars, and 54 00:02:31,147 --> 00:02:33,747 Speaker 3: there's so many variables. Also with the road conditions plays 55 00:02:33,747 --> 00:02:36,227 Speaker 3: a big part. So we can see this year, for example, 56 00:02:36,227 --> 00:02:38,747 Speaker 3: the road's not fast, so that plays a major factor 57 00:02:38,747 --> 00:02:41,547 Speaker 3: in it. So yeah, it's really hard to gauge your time, 58 00:02:41,547 --> 00:02:44,627 Speaker 3: and you know, particularly over this shorter space of road, 59 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:47,427 Speaker 3: there's no room for era and you know every tenth 60 00:02:47,467 --> 00:02:48,707 Speaker 3: for second becomes quite critical. 61 00:02:49,307 --> 00:02:52,827 Speaker 2: I mentioned the it the Hyunda it I twenty ap four. 62 00:02:52,867 --> 00:02:57,147 Speaker 2: Then you've been a driving force behind some groundbreaking projects 63 00:02:57,147 --> 00:03:00,507 Speaker 2: with AP four hill climbs and n ev rally programs 64 00:03:00,547 --> 00:03:03,387 Speaker 2: as well. Can you just explain AP four for us? 65 00:03:04,427 --> 00:03:04,547 Speaker 1: Oh? 66 00:03:04,587 --> 00:03:06,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, Basically AP four is the New Zealand Concert. It 67 00:03:07,587 --> 00:03:11,467 Speaker 3: pretty much is born from the International Rally two speed car, 68 00:03:11,467 --> 00:03:13,187 Speaker 3: which is the same car that we run in Europe, 69 00:03:13,227 --> 00:03:15,427 Speaker 3: but it's just sort of done on a lower budget 70 00:03:15,427 --> 00:03:17,827 Speaker 3: to try and make it more affordable for Kiwi competitors. 71 00:03:17,827 --> 00:03:19,787 Speaker 3: So the AP four concept has been around for nearly 72 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:22,507 Speaker 3: ten years now, and the Rally two car, which is 73 00:03:22,547 --> 00:03:24,227 Speaker 3: the same as what we're rallying in Australia this year 74 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:26,707 Speaker 3: and Europe last year, is probably the more common car now. 75 00:03:27,187 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 3: But the AP four allows you to use a bit 76 00:03:28,627 --> 00:03:30,787 Speaker 3: of kV ingenuity and number eight wire and you know, 77 00:03:30,827 --> 00:03:32,787 Speaker 3: particularly events like this where we can put nine hundred 78 00:03:32,827 --> 00:03:35,067 Speaker 3: horse par under the engine and bighero it gives you 79 00:03:35,107 --> 00:03:36,107 Speaker 3: a lot more flexibility. 80 00:03:36,467 --> 00:03:38,267 Speaker 2: Love it. And in twenty twenty two you made history 81 00:03:38,267 --> 00:03:41,667 Speaker 2: bike taking victory in this event in an electric car, 82 00:03:41,747 --> 00:03:43,307 Speaker 2: first time the event I'd ever been won in an 83 00:03:43,307 --> 00:03:43,907 Speaker 2: electric car. 84 00:03:43,947 --> 00:03:47,947 Speaker 3: How significant was that huge for our team? You know, 85 00:03:47,947 --> 00:03:49,547 Speaker 3: we've got the electric car here again this year, and 86 00:03:49,787 --> 00:03:51,427 Speaker 3: that was a big project for us five years ago 87 00:03:51,467 --> 00:03:53,667 Speaker 3: and we launched it and as a small team in 88 00:03:54,187 --> 00:03:56,947 Speaker 3: Central Otago the build and design one of these cars 89 00:03:56,947 --> 00:03:58,707 Speaker 3: and be the world's first doing it was something that 90 00:03:58,747 --> 00:04:00,587 Speaker 3: we're pretty proud of and then to bring in it 91 00:04:00,827 --> 00:04:03,827 Speaker 3: and to win was I guess the cheery on top. 92 00:04:03,947 --> 00:04:06,507 Speaker 3: So it's still an ongoing R and D project and 93 00:04:06,547 --> 00:04:11,027 Speaker 3: a lot with electrification and hydrogen within the industry. So yeah, 94 00:04:11,027 --> 00:04:13,147 Speaker 3: as Paul as the big horsepower combustion cars are and 95 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:15,747 Speaker 3: it's what we all love and motorsport, it's actually it's 96 00:04:15,787 --> 00:04:17,027 Speaker 3: a lot of fun and a good challenge with we 97 00:04:17,107 --> 00:04:18,427 Speaker 3: dabbling with the technology as well. 98 00:04:18,787 --> 00:04:20,507 Speaker 2: So that's what you're racing this weekend. Have you made 99 00:04:20,507 --> 00:04:22,507 Speaker 2: a few changes to any modifications? 100 00:04:23,787 --> 00:04:26,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, on the AP four, so I've got more power, 101 00:04:26,347 --> 00:04:28,827 Speaker 3: more ERA this year. The EV is much the same 102 00:04:29,027 --> 00:04:30,627 Speaker 3: as it has been the last couple of years. It's 103 00:04:30,627 --> 00:04:32,627 Speaker 3: a pretty good platform that doesn't need a whole lot. 104 00:04:32,747 --> 00:04:35,027 Speaker 3: So but yeah, every year you're always trying to find 105 00:04:35,027 --> 00:04:37,307 Speaker 3: something more, you know, the beauty and motor sport as 106 00:04:37,307 --> 00:04:39,267 Speaker 3: if you're standing still, you're going backward, So it's always 107 00:04:39,267 --> 00:04:40,427 Speaker 3: about trying to push the envelope. 108 00:04:40,987 --> 00:04:43,667 Speaker 2: So you mentioned the weather before, so are you I 109 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:46,707 Speaker 2: mean it's fifty two flat realistic this weekend or might 110 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:47,707 Speaker 2: that not be possible? 111 00:04:48,587 --> 00:04:50,947 Speaker 3: It may not be possible. Normally, the record time always 112 00:04:50,947 --> 00:04:52,747 Speaker 3: comes on the second day as the road develops over 113 00:04:52,747 --> 00:04:55,907 Speaker 3: the weekend and sweeps off and becomes faster. So now 114 00:04:55,947 --> 00:04:57,467 Speaker 3: with the rain tomorrow, we've still got to try and 115 00:04:57,467 --> 00:05:00,267 Speaker 3: do it today. So I think it's it's a tough ass, 116 00:05:00,267 --> 00:05:02,387 Speaker 3: but we will certainly give it a correct But you know, 117 00:05:02,467 --> 00:05:03,747 Speaker 3: long term, you know, we want to try and break 118 00:05:03,747 --> 00:05:05,707 Speaker 3: the fifty second barrier. You know, I remember when the 119 00:05:05,707 --> 00:05:08,547 Speaker 3: minute barrier broken here some thirty five or forty years 120 00:05:08,547 --> 00:05:11,747 Speaker 3: ago by Rod Millan. To try and do full circle 121 00:05:11,787 --> 00:05:13,827 Speaker 3: and go ten seconds quicker and get under the fifty 122 00:05:13,867 --> 00:05:16,867 Speaker 3: is the ultimate goal. So that's what we'll work towards 123 00:05:16,907 --> 00:05:17,747 Speaker 3: over the next year or two. 124 00:05:18,147 --> 00:05:20,147 Speaker 2: Unreal. So, I mean you mentioned before that a tenth 125 00:05:20,147 --> 00:05:22,227 Speaker 2: of a second is quite a long time and this 126 00:05:22,427 --> 00:05:25,347 Speaker 2: so to shave a couple more seconds off, where do 127 00:05:25,387 --> 00:05:28,987 Speaker 2: you find those? Where do you find that extra extra pace? 128 00:05:29,107 --> 00:05:30,947 Speaker 2: Or how do you shave two seconds off? 129 00:05:31,827 --> 00:05:34,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, well you're right, it doesn't sound a lot two seconds, 130 00:05:34,627 --> 00:05:36,467 Speaker 3: but here it is a lot. That's a mountain of 131 00:05:36,467 --> 00:05:39,747 Speaker 3: the climb. But it's just about the accumulation of everything. 132 00:05:39,787 --> 00:05:42,507 Speaker 3: You know, the road condition's been right, we can keep 133 00:05:42,507 --> 00:05:44,947 Speaker 3: adding more power, to keep adding more aero. It's just 134 00:05:45,107 --> 00:05:47,787 Speaker 3: a constant development race. You know, that's a beauty motors 135 00:05:47,827 --> 00:05:50,747 Speaker 3: for it. It is just constantly moving toward. So yeah, we're 136 00:05:50,787 --> 00:05:52,907 Speaker 3: just going to keep pushing ourselves and the whole team 137 00:05:52,907 --> 00:05:54,987 Speaker 3: and Steve we can they reach that target. 138 00:05:55,587 --> 00:05:58,627 Speaker 2: You're such an advocate for rally driving, Hayden, You've talked 139 00:05:58,667 --> 00:06:01,867 Speaker 2: openly about the potential in years ahead to run a 140 00:06:01,867 --> 00:06:05,307 Speaker 2: top flight WRC team from New Zealand. Juter regulation changes, 141 00:06:05,427 --> 00:06:06,667 Speaker 2: you do you believe that's real stick? 142 00:06:07,787 --> 00:06:11,107 Speaker 3: Oh? Yeah, certainly the goal. There's a new rule sick 143 00:06:11,147 --> 00:06:13,627 Speaker 3: from the WRC that's looking to be launched for twenty 144 00:06:13,667 --> 00:06:15,787 Speaker 3: twenty seven, and these new rules are going to give 145 00:06:15,787 --> 00:06:18,387 Speaker 3: opportunities to teams like ourselves to go out and build 146 00:06:18,387 --> 00:06:20,627 Speaker 3: and prepare our own car. And you know, my goal 147 00:06:20,707 --> 00:06:22,227 Speaker 3: is able to do that from the Zeland runner on 148 00:06:22,267 --> 00:06:24,267 Speaker 3: New Zealand team a bit like what you know in 149 00:06:24,267 --> 00:06:26,867 Speaker 3: New Zealand doing Sale GP or America's Cup is a 150 00:06:26,947 --> 00:06:30,827 Speaker 3: really take you know, you been proud from this country. 151 00:06:30,867 --> 00:06:32,707 Speaker 3: There's a lot of good engineers and technicians in this 152 00:06:32,787 --> 00:06:35,267 Speaker 3: country and been able to utilize that and take on 153 00:06:35,267 --> 00:06:37,267 Speaker 3: the world. So yeah, these opportunities that are going to 154 00:06:37,267 --> 00:06:39,627 Speaker 3: be coming, We're still working through the business models and 155 00:06:39,667 --> 00:06:42,427 Speaker 3: how we fund it and that's another challenge on his own. 156 00:06:42,987 --> 00:06:45,547 Speaker 3: But from a personnel side and expertise, we've certainly got 157 00:06:45,587 --> 00:06:47,587 Speaker 3: the got what we need here in New Zealand to do. 158 00:06:47,547 --> 00:06:50,787 Speaker 2: The job outstanding. And you're currently leading the Australian Rally 159 00:06:50,827 --> 00:06:53,787 Speaker 2: Championship after four of six events, just Adelaide and Tasmania 160 00:06:53,827 --> 00:06:56,107 Speaker 2: to come. You've won the last three. Are you just 161 00:06:56,107 --> 00:06:57,427 Speaker 2: getting better the more you do this? 162 00:06:58,507 --> 00:07:00,067 Speaker 3: Oh? I don't know about I'm getting older as well. 163 00:07:00,067 --> 00:07:03,307 Speaker 3: A few more great heads. Yeah, obviously Australia. We're loving 164 00:07:03,307 --> 00:07:05,507 Speaker 3: the challenge over there for the first time and the 165 00:07:05,547 --> 00:07:07,627 Speaker 3: motivated fact there are obviously you know, growing up watching 166 00:07:07,667 --> 00:07:09,667 Speaker 3: poss and Born and what he did and nausey dominating 167 00:07:09,747 --> 00:07:12,267 Speaker 3: for many years, and to now go over and try 168 00:07:12,267 --> 00:07:14,947 Speaker 3: and compete with the same You know that the sons 169 00:07:14,947 --> 00:07:18,627 Speaker 3: of Neil Bates, who is who possibly you to compete against, 170 00:07:18,747 --> 00:07:20,987 Speaker 3: brings back a lot of memories. So yeah, started off 171 00:07:21,027 --> 00:07:22,987 Speaker 3: a bit rough with the Kangaroo and coounter, shall we say, 172 00:07:23,187 --> 00:07:24,787 Speaker 3: but we still have got things back on track since 173 00:07:24,787 --> 00:07:27,427 Speaker 3: then and hopefully we can continue it for last two rounds. 174 00:07:27,667 --> 00:07:29,387 Speaker 2: What did you have the kangaroo in the first event. 175 00:07:30,147 --> 00:07:32,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, unfortunately. Yeah, the kangaroo ran across the road and 176 00:07:33,307 --> 00:07:35,387 Speaker 3: wiped out the car so far Yeah, that was the 177 00:07:35,387 --> 00:07:37,707 Speaker 3: ind Ofnate Rally. So behave we've learned about the local 178 00:07:37,747 --> 00:07:39,267 Speaker 3: wildlife now so we can move on. 179 00:07:39,707 --> 00:07:42,667 Speaker 2: See that won't happen on Ashley and Ashley Forest. No 180 00:07:42,787 --> 00:07:45,027 Speaker 2: kangaroo's up there, mate, all. 181 00:07:44,947 --> 00:07:46,387 Speaker 3: I've seen plenty of while of these down and wy 182 00:07:46,427 --> 00:07:48,187 Speaker 3: many forests actually so that they come close. 183 00:07:48,867 --> 00:07:51,027 Speaker 2: All right, had a great to chat. Made awesome to 184 00:07:51,067 --> 00:07:52,947 Speaker 2: have you home. Thanks for taking the time this afternoon 185 00:07:52,947 --> 00:07:56,907 Speaker 2: and all the best across the weekend. Thanks that's Hayden 186 00:07:56,947 --> 00:07:59,907 Speaker 2: Pas and joining us our best ever rally driver at 187 00:07:59,907 --> 00:08:02,507 Speaker 2: the Ashley Forest Rally Sprint on this weekend now at 188 00:08:02,547 --> 00:08:04,507 Speaker 2: any order in Canterbury. 189 00:08:05,187 --> 00:08:08,387 Speaker 1: For more from weekends forward with Jason Fine, listen live 190 00:08:08,467 --> 00:08:11,787 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday or follow 191 00:08:11,827 --> 00:08:13,427 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.