[1] Hayden Paddon. Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon is paying tribute to the sport's safety regulations after surviving a 200m plunge down a cliff in a car at the weekend, escaping with a broken collarbone.
The accident occurred on Saturday when Paddon, the production world rally champ, was hosting corporate rides in his old car on a hill in the Geraldine Forest, Stuff reports.
A mechanical fault caused the vehicle, with Paddon and a passenger inside, to leave the road at about 140kmh and plunge down the cliff, landing tail-first before rolling the rest of the way to the creek below.
The passenger was uninjured.
"During one of our runs we had a mechanical malfunction that caused the car to veer straight off the road on a fast right-hand corner at around 140kmh," Paddon said.
"The consequence was a sheer 200m drop to the creek at the bottom which the car rolled down many times."
"It is amazing how well the car stood up and a real testament to the safety regulations of our sport," he said.
"Unfortunately, I suffered a broken collarbone."
Paddon described it as a small setback that did not stop him flying to Britain on Sunday for a test with an unnamed World Rally Championship team.
The 24-year-old said he did not expect the injury to cause any problems and was already working hard with specialists to help the healing and recovery process.
His aim is to ensure he is 100% fit for the opening round in Monte Carlo in January, even though his plans for next year are not confirmed.
Paddon's father, Chris, said a broken suspension point caused the accident.
"That can happen in rallying but what impressed me was all the safety features built into the car worked as they should.
"The built-in fuel cell held, as did everything else. It was quite amazing. Hayden will just be strapped up for a couple of weeks as it was a straightforward break."
After his test in Britain, Paddon will fly to India where he will attend the FIA's annual awards and pick up his PWRC trophy.
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