RallySport Magazine November 2016

h
e
.
Zealand ….” This was well before the
days of the WRC radio shows we know
today.
By my third year of helping out I was
taking more and more time away from
the media centre to go and watch the
stages. I eventually had to say ‘sorry Ian
you need to get yourself a new helper’. I
had gone from volunteer to rally fan.
You’ve got a decent number of followers,
and even some of the sport’s higher profile
journos such as Rally Radio’s Colin Clark and
Becs Williams refer to you often. That must
give you a real thrill?
That is pretty crazy. I am just a fan
and am surprised that I have several
media types, some top drivers and
co-drivers, following me. Hopefully
I add something of value to rally
conversation.
We often talk about how accessible
rally drivers and teams are to the fans,
the same can also be said about Colin
and Becs. They are true rally fans and
are passionate about what they do.
They really enjoy interacting with fans.
I remember in 2011 an occasion
where Colin chatted with a group of
Kiwis after his lunch break and coffee
in a small town just north of Coffs. His
enthusiasm and energy was just like we
hear on WRC live radio, despite having
his personal time invaded by raucous
Paddon fans.
In 2012 I volunteered for Rally NZ
again in the media centre. It was the
500 th WRC event and I was asked to
research the 100 th , 200 th , 300 th and 400 th
WRC events. It was my introduction
to the history of rallying and some
excellent websites for rally information.
Some of that info was used by Becs as
general interest info between stages.
As that weekend in June 2012
unfolded it looked like 100% of WRC
The end to Gary’s first time co-driving at
the Otago Rally this year.
cars might finish with nobody using
Rally 2. I was asked to find out when
this last happened, so Becs had
accurate facts to use on air.
As it transpired Ott Tanak crashed
out on the final day so no 100% finish
occurred. (Rally Australia 2014 had
100% of the WRC cars finish, with
nobody using Rally 2).
Colin and Becs know they can fire me
a question and I will do some research
to try and answer it for them, although
I am not always able to. At other times
I will identify something as unusual or
interesting and let them know, in case
they feel it will be of interest to their
listeners.
The biggest thrill for me is yet to come
- it will be helping host international
media when WRC returns to NZ. I just
need dates so I can book my leave from
work!
The Aussie is
currently driving for
Subaru USA in the
Global Rallycross
series.
Tell us 5 things we probably didn’t know
about NZ rallying or the WRC ….
* Only 17 drivers have won WRC
drivers title. 13 of them have won Rally
NZ. The four exceptions are Massimo
‘Miki’ Biasion, Didier Auriol, Ari Vatanen
and Sebastien Ogier.
* A lot of people know Colin McRae had
his first WRC stage win at Rally NZ 1989,
but few will recall his father Jimmy won
two stages and led Rally NZ that same
year.
* The final Group B era WRC event
was Rally Olympus (USA) in 1986. Six
Kiwi drivers started the rally, including
Steve Millen in a Group B Toyota
Celica. The others were Rod Millen, Neil
Allport, Possum Bourne, Clive Smith
and Alan Carter.
* Bevan Docherty, the 2004 World
Triathlon Champion and Olympic
medallist in 2004 and 2008, enjoys
watching rallying.
* The Safari and Ivory Coast WRC
endurance events are known for their
long stage kilometres. In 1977 Rally NZ
debuted in WRC with 74 stages which
totalled 2,157 kilometres. It remains
the longest non-endurance WRC event
ever.
And finally, in what year will Hayden
Paddon win the WRC?
Tough question given new car
regulations for everyone next year.
Experience on events is vital. 2016 was
the first time Hayden has competed in
Monte Carlo and he has only competed
in Mexico twice.
2017 will be another experience
building year for Hayden, learning to
fight regularly at the pointy end. For
the world title I will say 2018.
NOVEMBER 2016 - RALLYSPORT MAGAZINE | 19