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FIA European Rally Championship record 2023
Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard won the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) again putting their name in the world motorsport history books, becoming the first non-Europeans and first New Zealanders to win the FIA ERC title.
The New Zealanders secured the 2023 ERC title at the championship's seventh round the Czech Republic, Barum Czech Rally Zlin on 19 and 20 August, but not without drama after an incident in their Hyundai i20 Rally 2 car run by BRC Racing.
Paddon also wrapped up his seventh New Zealand Rally Championship title and was the first New Zealander in the overall standings for the rally, both honours that he says reflect the huge amount of work put in by the Hyundai New Zealand Rally team.
The hugely popular New Zealand pair were delighted to show their pace on home roads in a world-class event as the WRC ran in New Zealand for the first time in ten years.
Hayden Paddon
Hyundai New Zealand and Hayden Paddon have been a formidable pair since 2014.
Our Hyundai i20 AP4 has become the most successful car in the 50-year history of the NZRC. We developed the world’s first Kona Electric rally car. And we’ve taken control of our destiny with our i20 N Rally2 car and 100% Kiwi team in the World Rally Championship.
We’re extremely proud to help drive Hayden’s success, whether he’s racing at home or representing our country on the global stage.
