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, New Zealand’s most successful rally driver 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 myself 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. 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.”
An immediate example of this includes the involvement of students from the Pinnacle Programme, a mentoring programme for
talented, passionate teenagers 15-18 years old in the upcoming events, and headed by netball great Bernice Mene.
“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.”
ENDS