Hyundai New Zealand has confirmed its ongoing support in 2024 for Kiwi rally champ, Hayden Paddon.
This marks the tenth year that Hyundai New Zealand has backed Paddon, during which time he won his inaugural WRC victory (Rally Argentina 2016). He has also taken out four NZ Rally Championships (NZRC) in a Hyundai. In 2020 his company developed the world’s first all-electric rally car, a modified Kona EV.
Hyundai New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Scott Kelsey cannot overstate how important the partnership is with Hayden Paddon. He said ‘As a technology-led brand, the relationship with Hayden allows us to showcase our innovations on a local and international stage.’
The current ERC champion commented ‘Our philosophy at Paddon Rallysport aligns closely with that of Hyundai. Always push the boundaries of what’s possible and embrace new technology. Rally and motorsport fans alike have a lot to look forward to with the advancement of electrified vehicle technologies.’
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard had a stellar 2023, winning the European Rally Championship (ERC). This marked the first time that non-Europeans had won the ERC in its 70-year history.
For ERC 2024, Paddon will be back behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car, run by BRC Racing. The opening round is Rally Hungary this week (10-14 April).
Paddon returns to New Zealand for the Rally South Canterbury on May 10-11. Here he will be driving his Hyundai i20 AP4 and i20 N Rally2 cars. This season Paddon Racing Group will work with Hyundai New Zealand to develop the Kona EV further.
Paddon also got to check out the first example of Hyundai’s new Ioniq 5 N that arrived in the country recently. ‘What a machine! This is as close to a race car for the road as you can have. It’s definitely not mandatory to have pistons to have fun!’
‘The last 10 years have flown by and there is so much more to achieve’ he added. Not only are we committed to defending our ERC and NZ Rally Championship titles but we also have a few big surprises up our sleeve. Bring on the next 10 years!’
