Paddon’s Subaru for PCWRC Campaign in 2011
Double national rally champion Hayden Paddon is switching to Subaru for his assault on this year’s Production Car World
Rally Championship.
The formation of the New Zealand World Rally Team will back Paddon’s bid for international success which Paddon
describes as a “dream come true”.
Paddon has formed what is essentially the first New Zealand world rally team since Possum Bourne. The new team is run by
Hayden Paddon Rallysport Global Ltd, the company formed by Paddon and his supporters late in 2010.
The goal is simple: to win the 2011 PCWRC title. At his first attempt at the global title last year Paddon finished a
commendable third.
“There has been a phenomenal amount of hard work by many people to put this campaign together,” said Paddon. “While we
are not over the finish line yet in terms of the budget, we are well on our way and will continue to work on the
required funds throughout the year.”
“While it’s no secret that we wanted to get back overseas and win the PCWRC title this year, what may surprise many is
our switch of cars to form a partnership with rally giant, Subaru,” says Paddon.
Paddon finished third in the production car class – a feeder series to the World Rally Championship – on debut in 2010.
That campaign had the backing of funding and a professionally-prepared vehicle from the Pirelli Star Driver scholarship
that Paddon won in 2009, as well as funding from Paddon’s own sponsors and a Rally New Zealand Rising Stars driver
development award.
“Last year’s opportunities with the Pirelli Star Driver programme were amazing, and to follow that up by being able to
put our own global programme together is fantastic. We were offered an opportunity to run with Ralliart Italy again this
year, but after being approached by a Subaru representative, we decided to make the change as we feel that there are
greater future possibilities with Subaru.
“The move to Subaru will be a big change for us, especially considering how much we have achieved in a series of
Mitsubishis. In saying that, I am confident that driving the Subaru will give us a better chance of winning the
championship as they are very strong, well balanced cars. At the end of the day, as long as it has four wheels and a
steering wheel, I’m happy! As a youngster I was always a huge Subaru fan, and now to get a chance to drive one in world
competition fulfils a childhood dream.”
Running the latest spec STR11 Subaru Impreza N4 for Paddon and his co-driver for the past five seasons, Blenheim’s John
Kennard, is highly-regarded Belgium team, Symtech Racing.
Symtech, based in Grobbendonk, is well known in Europe for its extensive expertise building and running competitive
Subaru Impreza rally cars to international Group N (or production car) regulations. The team won the 2004 PCWRC title
with Irish driver Niall McShea and currently successfully runs the official Subaru Poland rally team in the Polish
national rally championship.
“This is our first time dealing with Symtech, but Dirk Van der Sluys and the rest of the team are really enthusiastic
about working with us. They are every bit as motivated to win the production championship as we are. All the ingredients
are there for it to be a successful relationship and we are confident that the car will be very competitive.”
Adapting to the Subaru is another new challenge for the 23-year-old who demonstrated a consistent ability to learn,
improve and deliver strong performances in every event he contested last year. Paddon sees the change of car as simply
another opportunity to lift his game to a whole new level and challenge for the PCWRC class victory.
“I had the chance to have a small test with a Subaru last November while I was in the UK. My initial impressions were
good and I was impressed by the handling and balance of the car. Before our season gets underway at Rally Portugal at
the end of March, we will have a comprehensive two-day test with Symtech to learn the car and get it dialled in for my
driving style. I have no doubts that as soon as we start the first stage in Portugal that we will pick up from where we
left off last year.”
“Hayden’s choice of a Subaru is one we are all celebrating throughout the New Zealand dealer team,” said Wallis Dumper,
managing director of Subaru of New Zealand, who initiated Paddon’s discussions regarding the move to Subaru.
“While Hayden’s sporting challenges take place offshore, we are proud to have helped in our own small way in supporting
this campaign. I am sure every Kiwi will follow the black and silver fern-emblazoned Impreza with interest as Hayden
takes on the rest of the world.
“Many will recall how with the invisible advantages of our All-Wheel-Drive, the late Possum Bourne made his mark on the
rally sport world and this assault by Hayden’s team will certainly galvanise the interest of all our customers and our
independently owned and operated Subaru dealerships throughout New Zealand. Rallying may not be every person’s favourite
sport but if you are a Kiwi at heart, you just have to give these guys support.”
“Subaru is the ‘confidence in motion’ brand and we trust those inherent qualities flow through to Hayden in achieving
his 2011 goals in a Subaru.”
Finishing third overall in his first PCWRC season is one important aspect of Paddon’s successful international debut.
Another highlight was being named as one of the top ten world rally drivers who stood out in 2010 by David Evans,
rallies editor with ‘motorsport bible’ Autosport magazine. Evans noted Paddon’s defining moment of the season during his second run at the Mosselland stage on the Rally
of Germany where he had his first PCWRC stage win on asphalt.
Both Paddon and Kennard acknowledge that their 2011 campaign will be their biggest test as a driver pairing yet as they
tackle six events around the world against strong competition.
“The competition is looking a lot stronger this year,” notes Paddon. “As we found out last year, there is simply no room
for error at this level. Where we had three or four teams fighting for victory last year, I feel the number of potential
victors will double this year. This is great for the championship and also means that we have to work even harder to
make our goal of winning the championship a reality.”
Paddon has nominated the following six PWRC events: Vodafone Rally de Portugal (24-27 March), Rally Argentina (26-29
May), Neste Oil Rally Finland (28-31 July), Rally Australia (8-11 Sept), Rally de Espana (20-23 Oct) and Wales Rally GB
(10-13 Nov).
While not all the necessary budget is in place, Paddon’s campaign has been made possible with the formation of a new
company, Hayden Paddon Rallysport Global Ltd (HPRG).
Directors Peter Anderson, Peter Swaney and UK-based Kevin Morris described the company as a great success, having
attracted shareholders in the very short period of time that the company has been up and running.
“To watch Hayden’s progress over the previous years I believe that he can go a long way in the sport and to be a part of
helping make it happen along with a group of shareholders is an exciting prospect,” said Anderson.
Swaney added: “We have a company plan in place to aid Hayden’s career for the next five years. While we are still
working hard to put the final pieces of the puzzle together for this year, we have not lost sight of 2012 and 2013 which
will be pivotal years as more manufacturers and opportunities become available in the World Rally Championship.”
Fellow company director and Paddon’s father, Chris Paddon added that the structure of the company, HPRG, is not just
focused on 2011, but the long-term future as they help Hayden to the top level of rallying.
“This company gives both Hayden and his backers some certainty for his future. An added advantage is that Hayden can
take a step back from the logistics and organisational side of things to focus more on his driving,” said Chris Paddon.
The New Zealand World Rally Team’s arrival on the world stage is an exciting venture that the entire team hopes will
inspire the support of Kiwis – motorsport fans and more – all over the world.
Radio Sport continues its partnership with the team, which started last year, and long-term partners EDL Fasteners and
Castrol also continue for a fifth term with the likeable and very popular driver. A new partner, Raiseys Original sports
food and nutrition, has joined the team as they look to promote their New Zealand-made and distributed sports
supplements.
The team website, www.haydenpaddon.com, has been revamped with new imagery and information with the launch of the New Zealand World Rally Team.
ENDS