I must have written this column at least half a dozen times over the last week, and every day it changed.
It was always going to be a Rally Finland preview, and about how Hayden Paddon’s return to the World Rally Championship was likely to pan out.
Yet in none of those six variations did I ever consider that his rally would be over before it even got underway.
The images from the aftermath of his crash started appearing on social media just before I went to bed on Monday night, and I admit it took me a while to get to sleep.
It was clear the car was heavily damaged and Hayden’s Rally Finland was probably over, but cars can be rebuilt, and thankfully both Hayden and John Kennard were okay.
I lay there putting myself in Hayden’s shoes, and thinking about how he must have been feeling. It didn’t make me feel good.
Rally drivers at the top level are well paid and have, what we believe, is the best job in the world, but it’s sometimes easy to overlook that they are regular people just like you and I.
There’s no doubt Hayden will be hurting, and the sick feeling deep down in his stomach will take days (perhaps longer) to go away.
He had worked super hard since his dumping from the Hyundai team at the end of last season to ‘get back in the game’, and thanks to his determination and the incredible support of his long-time supporters and Hyundai New Zealand, it was all coming together again.
A rogue rock on a blind sixth-gear corner in rural Finland had other ideas though.
“I came to Finland in such a good place, mentally and physically I’ve never been so well prepared for a rally like this,” Hayden said.
“Everything was right and everything was ready. There was no lack of effort anywhere or from anyone, we put everything into this. Everything.
“I’d say I’m gutted, but that doesn’t come close.”
Sport, like life, often isn’t fair.
“Hopefully there will be another opportunity to work together,” Ford’s Senior Manager of Motorsport, Gerard Quinn, tweeted afterwards.
If nothing else, that at least leaves the door open for another drive for the M-Sport squad.
Without a doubt, Hayden deserves nothing less.
So, what of that Rally Finland preview? To be honest, I’ve lost a fair slice of interest in the event, but it still promises to be the most exciting rally of the year.
It will be a brave person to pick against Ott Tanak and his flying Toyota given the form he’s been in of late, but the event has often provided a surprise winner.
Not many predicted Kris Meeke or Esapekka Lappi in recent years, and there’s every chance that may be the case again this year.
Perhaps it’s Teemu Suninen’s chance to reach for the stars? Given M-Sport’s recent run of bad luck, nobody would begrudge them that.
Ahead lies three days of late nights, fast stages and exhilarating action.
I’ll be watching, but unfortunately my heart (like yours) won’t really be in it.
P.S. Come back soon Hayden!
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