Hayden Paddon will have some ''good mates'' helping him out as he contests the 22-stage Rally Australia from today until Sunday.
Driving a new Skoda Fabia S2000, New Zealand's top rally driver believes he has the WRC2-winning formula for the Coffs Harbour-based event.
''We are using our own team from NZ, which is quite exciting as we are all good mates and they are all a big part of our dream,'' Paddon said.
''BRR [Paddon's usual Austrian-based WRC2 team] have provided some technical assistance and helped us prepare the car in Europe before it was sent.''
Paddon did his first day of testing on Monday and reported that everything went smoothly.
''Not only did it give us a chance to check all the systems with the car but we were also able to make some set-up changes to suit the local conditions.''
The Skoda is essentially the same as the one he drove to two podium finishes in Finland and Germany recently. The ''small things'' that were different were the specification of the suspension and diffs, Paddon said.
Tuesday was the first day of recce, and while some of the stages are the same as two years ago, there were also a few new stages which were ''quite tricky in places,'' Paddon said.
''However, some of the stages are nice and flowing - just like New Zealand. The issue at the moment here is dust. Many of the locals cannot remember when it last rained. So we are hoping for some rain to help settle the dust.''
Paddon is aiming for a WRC2 win, capitalising on the fact that neither of the two of his main rivals from the previous two rounds - Robert Kubica and Jari Ketomaa - are contesting Rally Australia.
''However, we are the only S2000 car, while the rest are R5 or RRC. There will be some tough competition but we are confident we will be able to fight at the front.''
''The biggest thing we will have to be mindful of is we have very limited spares, so will have to really look after the car on the rougher sections and push when it's smoother. It will be a balancing act,'' Paddon said.
Rally Australia begins tonight with a super special stage in central Coffs Harbour.
