Supercars fans have watched the Trans-Tasman rivalry and although Will Brown took the title last year, the New Zealanders have had the edge previously as now Hayden Paddon is aiming to do likewise on the dirt.
Paddon is one of the few drivers from the antipodes to make it to the top of the World Rally Championship and is the sole win to take victory at the level.
The most decorated drivers to come out of New Zealand, Paddon comes off the back of securing back-to-back European Rally Championships making history in the process to be the first from outside the continent to win the title.
This adds to his seven New Zealand Rally Championships, an Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and his crowning glory is his WRC round victory at Rally Argentina in 2016 driving for Hyundai.
His 2025 ARC campaign will be his first time racing a full-time program and will be backed by his Paddon Racing Group concern in a Hyundai i20N Rally2.
“I’m really excited to finally put together a campaign for the Australian Rally Championship,” said Paddon.
“It’s something we have been trying to make happen for a couple of years. It’s a championship that we have not yet tried our hand at, and the level of competition and events was something that has been an appeal while watching from the other side of the Tasman.
“We are under no illusions that it will be a tough challenge – up against some very fast competition on unfamiliar events/terrain. But we will treat it like any other rally or championships that we compete in, and know we have the best team with PRG and a strong package with the Hyundai i20N Rally2 to give our best shot.
“It is a bit special to compete in Australia especially after the many years of success that Possum Bourne had there and watching that as a kid. To now take our own Kiwi team across the ditch and rejuvenate that Trans-Tasman rivalry is going to be an exciting and fun challenge.
“We know from previous times we have competed in Australia that everyone is very welcoming which adds to the experience.”
Paddon has raced in Australia previously as part of its WRC and APRC rounds, while previously representing Repco in Rally New Zealand in 2022.
The opening round of the Australian Rally Championship is Rally Canberra on March 21-23.