Paddon’s WRC factory ride a Kiwi first

NZ rally champion has made history by signing with Hyundai Motorsport for seven-round WRC programme.

PlaceMakers is proud to be principal sponsor of New Zealand’s first-ever rally driver to score a place in a WRC factory team. At only 26-years-old, Hayden Paddon has been signed by Hyundai Motorsport and handed the keys to a Hyundai i20 WRC car worth more than $1 million. In taking on the biggest challenge of his career so far, Hayden also moves one step closer to his lifelong dream of taking the world championship title on the sport’s biggest stage.

“Today is the day we’ve waited for and worked towards for many years,” said Hayden. “It’s a very exciting and special moment, and an amazing opportunity.”

He and co-driver John Kennard will hit the gravel in Round 6 of the championship in Italy on June 5 – 8, but Hayden says there’s plenty of work to do before then.

“This will be our first year in a WRC car and we have a lot to learn,” says the 26-year-old. “That includes handling the new car, building relationships with the team and developing an understanding of our new competitors.”

Future champion

The Korean manufacturer is entering the Kiwis as one of two Hyundai Motorsport N teams, with the potential to earn points in both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships. Team principal Michel Nandan is full of confidence in Hayden’s ability.

“As a manufacturer investing in the WRC, Hyundai Motorsport aims to support the champions of the future,” said Nandan. “For this reason, we decided to engage one more car at selected WRC events under the entry Hyundai Motorsport N.

“Hayden is one of the very talented drivers on the WRC scene at the moment and we will support him as much as we can to reach the highest level possible. We are very pleased to welcome him and John to our WRC adventure and we look forward to seeing them in action at the wheel of the Hyundai i20 WRC.”

Tactical approach

Hayden is also eager to get behind the wheel, but says he will curb his competitive nature and drive tactically.

“I’m a very competitive person, but for the first couple of rallies I will have to keep this in check and can concentrate on finishing,” he said. “As the season progresses, we want to be competitive against our other two more experienced teammates and take it from there.

“There will be a lot of pressure to perform, but we’re in an environment where all the resources we’ve had to worry about and been limited on in the past will be provided for us. It’s certainly going to give us the best backing to achieve the results we know we’re capable of.”

Stellar support

Hayden is now based in the German city of Frankfurt, less than 50km from the team’s headquarters in Alzenau, but he says his heart is still in New Zealand and he wouldn’t have made it this far without the continued support from friends, family, fans and sponsors – including PlaceMakers.

“Rallying is my life, and I’ve dreamt of being WRC champion since I was a kid. We are not there yet, but this is a giant leap forward, and we have all of New Zealand behind us.”