New Zealand’s leading rally star Hayden Paddon is excited his homeland will return to the international stage by welcoming the World Rally Championship back for the first time in a decade.
Since then, Paddon has become a WRC rally winner and a stalwart of Hyundai’s campaigns and will represent the New Zealand arm of the Korean manufacturer in the second-tier Rally2 competition.
Five international drivers will make the trip down in Rally2, including multiple Australian Rally Championship winner Harry Bates and six locals where Paddon will be up against multiple Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen.
Paddon gave his i20 N R5 a warm up during events in Europe highlighted by a win on the Welsh Rally, his first on tarmac.
He will complete a test today after meticulous preparation by the Paddon Rallysport and enters his home event with confidence.
“It was good to get a good result on the board in Finland to conclude this year’s European tour and we made some big gains with the new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car,” said Paddon.
“We’re happy with where we’re at for Rally New Zealand but have more development to do to with the car to continue improving longer term.
“The events in Wales and Ashley Forest offered different conditions to what’s coming at Rally New Zealand, but seat time is seat time, and it all helps.
“Seeing the WRC back in New Zealand is something I’m very proud of for the New Zealand rally community. I’m grateful for the work done by a great team of people to make this happen. I’m excited to tackle these awesome rallying roads again in our Hyundai Rally2 car with our own homegrown team.
“With the Rally2 and R5 cars competing in the same category, there’s going to be some great competition. Between Ben, Shane and Harry, I’m expecting there to be close competition which I’m looking forward to.
“Rally fans are in for a real treat as Rally New Zealand once again features on the world stage. The hybrid Rally1 cars and drivers are going to be a sight to behold on some of the most spectacular stages in the world. The Auckland Domain stage, with free public access on Thursday night, will be an amazing way to start the event.
“Our goal is simple, to win WRC2. There have been a lot of questions about the overall result, but the gap is now too big between Rally1 and Rally2 cars for us to even consider competing with them, but we will give it everything we’ve got!”