Hyundai New Zealand enters local rally sport with Paddon

Hayden Paddon is joining up with Hyundai New Zealand to launch the first-ever New Zealand-developed Hyundai rally car and create a new partnership to benefit the New Zealand rally sport scene.

Paddon is New Zealand’s most successful rally driver who currently competes in the World Rally Championship with long-time co-driver John Kennard as part of the Hyundai Motorsport team. Together they will contest two rounds of the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) in the 1.8-litre, turbocharged Hyundai i20 rally car.

“I’m very excited to be part of this programme with Hyundai New Zealand as we enter a new phase of our partnership to bring our rally exploits back to New Zealand and to introduce Hyundai New Zealand to the NZRC,” says Paddon as he arrived back in New Zealand following his most recent WRC event in Mexico.

“Together, we are all working to provide more opportunities for people in New Zealand rallying and this new car will form a major part of this project while also allowing John and I to, once again, enjoy two of the best rally events and rally roads in the world.”

The partnership has resulted in the formation of the Hyundai New Zealand Rally Team, which will swing into action to support Paddon and Kennard’s entry into two of New Zealand’s biggest rally sport events – Rally Otago, 8-10 April and the International Rally of Whangarei, 29 April to 1 May.

The new Hyundai i20 has been built and developed in conjunction with well-known rally driver and fabricator Andrew Hawkeswood of Force Motorsport. Its chassis is constructed according to AP4 (Asia Pacific) regulations, which Paddon believes will be critical to the future of New Zealand rallying.

“AP4 technical regulations provide for a new, more affordable generation of four-wheel-drive (4WD) turbocharged rally car which is eligible for competition in both national and international events within the Asia Pacific region,” Paddon says.

“Otago and Whangarei are my two favourite rallies in the world. It’s also exciting to be debuting the new AP4 Hyundai chassis along Force Motorsport’s two other AP4 cars. The car is still early in development, but has a lot of potential and we look forward to working closely with Force to help develop it into a rally-winning car. Like any new formula, it will take a little longer for this car to catch on, but I believe that value for money is the key with this sort of car. While not at the same level, it has the same design principles and look of a WRC car.”

Another vital aspect of the Hyundai New Zealand Rally Team will be the involvement of students from the Pinnacle Programme, a mentoring programme for talented, passionate teenagers 15-18 years old and headed by netball great Bernice Mene, in the upcoming events.

“This project is much bigger than John and I,” Paddon says. “This is an opportunity to boost New Zealand rallying by introducing new people to the sport in conjunction with the Hyundai New Zealand-backed Pinnacle programme.

Paddon appreciates the support of the Hyundai New Zealand dealer network. “Hyundai New Zealand and their nationwide dealer network have played a big part in our WRC career over the past three years, and now we want to build on that relationship here at home in New Zealand while working together to further develop and strengthen the sport.”

Andy Sinclair, general manager of Hyundai New Zealand, is equally excited by the new partnership.

“This is a wonderful new phase of our partnership with Hayden,” says Sinclair. “To see our new Hyundai i20 rally car in action in the hands of Hayden and John on the best gravel rally roads in the world, running under the Hyundai New Zealand Rally Team banner, will be fantastic for everyone at Hyundai New Zealand and our dealer network.”

Sinclair pays credit to the Hyundai dealer network. “They are a pivotal component of our partnership with Hayden, and a big part of this project. This new rally car is for them, a tangible opportunity for them to showcase our brand and its new connection with New Zealand rallying. We’re excited by its potential.”

The Hyundai i20 rally car will feature in dealer promotional events between rallies and provide the opportunity for rally ride days for customers and staff.

Sinclair says: “Hayden is a true athlete – he embodies the Kiwi ‘can do’ spirit and his commitment to ever-improving performance will undoubtedly provide a fantastic example for the young teenagers selected through the Pinnacle Programme to join our rally team in Otago and Whangarei.”

Of the future beyond these two initial events for the New Zealand-focused rally project, Paddon says: “This a long term project. Between Hyundai New Zealand and our newly-launched Paddon Foundation, we will look to have other driver and co-drivers involved in the future.”