Special Stage: Hayden Paddon tells all on 2026 WRC and what's to come

Western Australia’s Forest Rally was won by Scott Pedder, but many competitors will be rueing costly mistakes from a chaotic weekend. Luke and Matt Whitten give their thoughts on the rally weekend and ask many questions that arose from the action. Why were there so many crashes? Is it best to drive on a puncture? Who is the championship favourite? All are discussed in detail on Special Stage. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Special Stage this week, we welcome Hayden Paddon to the podcast to break down his World Rally Championship season so far. We dive into his 2026 campaign, getting a firsthand understanding at how his year has unfolded and what he’s been up to behind the wheel both on and off the events. With the Australian Rally Championship heading to Western Australia this weekend, we also briefly touch on the Forest Rally. Having taken the outright win there last year, Hayden shares his thoughts on the famously tricky ball-bearing gravel and what the ARC crews can expect. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australian champion, Harry Bates, drove at one of the most famous rallies of all at the weekend and Luke Whitten spoke with him about the experience. Bates is asked about the early discussions that brought this event together, how the preparation was, and just how he found competing at Rally de Portugal.  We also speak about the roads themselves in detail. Yes, they’re ’technical’, but what does that actually mean, and is there any comparison to Australia? Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Special Stage this week, we're joined by Australian rally star Taylor Gill to break down his season so far. We dive into his recent performances in Sweden and Croatia, and get all the details on his newly announced Italian drive, where he'll be behind the wheel of a Citroën. With the WRC action continuing this weekend at Rally de Portugal, we also discuss the highly anticipated return of fellow Australian Harry Bates to the WRC2 category. Taylor shares his firsthand insights and expectations on how Harry will handle the tough Portuguese gravel. To wrap things up, we shift our focus to the top tier of the World Rally Championship, laying out our predictions for who will conquer the iconic stages of Portugal this weekend. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, the RallySport Magazine team give a firsthand account of the action at Rally Heartland – one of the toughest events in the country. Glenn Brinkman took the outright win in an iconic Ford Escort RS Cosworth, while Toby Price secured the state championship victory. It was a gruelling event that rewarded patience and reliability over flat-out speed that we see so often in today’s rallying. We discuss the dusty conditions and some truly ‘Safari-like’ sections of the rally, which made for some absolutely spectacular images. To wrap things up, we briefly chat about the World Rally Championship for a discussion on the Canary Islands WRC round where Toyota were dominant. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week away, Special Stage is back and it covers a vast array of events and topics.  The RallySport Magazine team unpack the Rally Queensland street stage, the Otago Rally and the upcoming WRC round on the Canary Islands. In addition, we talk about a recent S1 Rallysprint – an event type for the budget-conscious that is growing around the country. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kris Meeke and Mads Ostberg are joined by Pasi Hagstrom, Toby Price, Alex Rullo and the New Zealand Rally Championship stars at this weekend’s 50th Anniversary Otago Rally. We take a look at the detailed book that’s been released and give an insight into RallySport Magazine’s VIP tour, which begins on Thursday evening. Then we review Wednesday’s testing action and give our thoughts on what we might see when stage times start rolling in on Saturday morning. Rally Queensland’s entry list, along with Croatia Rally starts for Hayden Paddon and Taylor Gill, are also discussed on this bumper edition of Special Stage. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, a distinct middle ground has been missing from the New Zealand rally market. The newly announced GR Yaris Rally Cup NZ aims to fill that void, offering a one-make platform to bridge the gap between grassroots club cars and outright Rally2 and AP4 machinery. On this episode of the Special Stage Rally Podcast, we sit down with Tony McConachy and Paul Fallon from Rally Race Group (R2G) to get the inside story on the new series’ creation. McConachy and Fallon explain the significant international interest the category is already attracting from competitors in Australia, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Continuing our co-driver theme on Special Stage, Luke Whitten catches up with Dan Brkic to talk about his WRC2 debut at Rally Sweden. Brkic breaks down the step up to Rally2 machinery, explaining how the co-driver's to-do list grows significantly in a much faster car. The episode offers a detailed look into the reality of a privateer WRC2 campaign, and is a fascinating discussion with one of Australia’s top co-drivers about doing it the hard way and the work required to progress toward the peak of the sport. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Special Stage, Luke Whitten sits down with Australian co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino, who returns to the podcast after three years to discuss her recent co-driving adventures in the United States. We look at the current rally landscape in the US, specifically examining the more budget conscious limited 4WD class and what it takes to win there. As always with Gelsomino, listeners are treated to several valuable co-driving insights. It is an honest conversation about life in the sport and the unique challenges that come with competing at the top level in a growing rally nation like the United States. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices