Paddon lands Paraguay date

Hayden Paddon is preparing for his first appearance on gravel in the top World Rally Championship (WRC) class in eight years after he and co-driver John Kennard have been offered the chance to contest Rally Paraguay with Hyundai Motorsport.

The New Zealand pair will have one day of testing the Hyundai i20 Rally1 on gravel before the event from August 27-30.

Paddon’s last gravel competition in the leading WRC category was the 2018 Rally Australia, where he finished second for Hyundai with co-driver Seb Marshall.

Making this month’s race extra special is the return to top-level rallying on the continent where Paddon and Kennard became the first New Zealanders to win a round of the FIA WRC with their victory in the 2016 Argentina Rally.

Paddon, pictured, says he is excited about competing in Paraguay, which will come a week after he contests Rally Hawke’s Bay with Jared Hudson as co-driver.

“It was never in the initial plan this year; the original contract was for the three tarmac rallies,” he adds.

“Obviously we’ve been pushing to have that opportunity on gravel. It’s where we feel comfortable and where I think things are going to happen and click a little bit easier.

“It’s a privilege to have this opportunity and to return to South America where there’s some pretty fond memories of 10 years ago – it’s a different country, different stages, but similar kind of vibe.”

Paddon notes he and Kennard are going into the rally in the supporting role for Hyundai Motorsport, “but with nothing to lose and under no illusion how tough a rally it will be because there’s no substitute for seat time at this level”. 

“Ten years ago we were driving these cars most weeks, now it’s four times a year with some short test days.”