New Zealand rally star Hayden Paddon will enjoy the support of Repco for his maiden tilt at the EROAD Australian Rally Championship, kicking off at Toyota GAZOO Racing Rally Canberra this weekend.
The 37-year-old will compete under his own Paddon Racing Group banner behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20N Rally2.
This will not be the first time that Paddon and Repco have paired up, following his entry and victory in the 2022 Rally New Zealand where he won the WRC2 class with the support of Repco.
Paddon is a major addition to a quality field in the eRoad Australian Rally Championship that will contest six events across five states and one territory this year.
Paddon is one of the world’s best rally drivers having secured back-to-back European Rally Championship titles and becoming the first from outside the continent to win that title.
Has has also claimed seven domestic NZ rally titles, the Production World Rally Championship, the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and is the only New Zealander to have ever taken victory in a World Rally Championship (WRC) event.
Boasting a WRC career spanning nearly a decade, Paddon’s landmark victory came in 2016 at Rally Argentina with Hyundai.
The New Zealander’s association with Hyundai began in 2014, including a stint with its WRC team. From 2014 until 2018, Paddon scored one victory, eight podiums, 38 stage wins and finished a best of fourth in the 2016 standings.
The opening round of the EROAD Australian Rally Championship – the Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally of Canberra – will start this Friday and conclude on Sunday.
QUOTES
Hayden Paddon
Driver, Paddon Racing Group Hyundai i20N
“It’s awesome to have Repco on board for our eRoad Australian Rally Championship campaign,” said Paddon.
“We have been in partnership with Repco for a while now. They have been a huge supporter of both New Zealand and Australian motorsport for a number of years, so to continue with them into the ARC is exciting.
“We don’t underestimate the challenge that we face this year, but we’re looking forward to it. We know how fast the local drivers are, and we respect that. These are all new rallies and all new stages for us and we will have to get up to speed.
“We’ll be pushing hard to try and win the championship, but we know that Harry and Lewis Bates, Scott Pedder and others will be doing the same. We’ll play it round by round and ease our way in.”
Mitch Wiley
Executive General Manager – Marketing, REPCO
“The Repco team is thrilled to continue its support of rally champion Hayden Paddon for his maiden run at the Australian Rally Championship this year,” said Wiley.
“Hayden is the perfect fit for Repco, whilst he has been a long standing Repco New Zealand ambassador, the team across the ditch will welcome him here in Australia with open arms.”