• Hyundai New Zealand confirms their tenth year of support for Hayden Paddon
• Paddon will be defending his European Rally Championship (ERC) title commencing from Rally Hungary, April 10-14
• Hyundai NZ will also support Paddon as he continues to pioneer sustainable practices in the motorsport industry • Hyundai NZ to introduce all-new electric performance car, IONIQ 5 N this year

 Hyundai New Zealand has announced the continuation of their support for champion Kiwi rally driver, Hayden Paddon. This year, 2024, will mark the tenth year of Hyundai NZ’s support for Paddon and it is expected to be quite a season.

The partnership between Hyundai New Zealand and Hayden has been full of key milestone achievements. These accolades include Hayden’s inaugural WRC victory at Rally Argentina in 2016, four NZ Rally Championship (NZRC) titles behind the wheel of a Hyundai, setting the course record at the iconic Ashley Forest hillclimb in the hillclimb spec i20 AP4 and even developing the world’s first all-electric rally car. This heavily modified KONA EV was revealed globally in 2020.

Hyundai New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Scott Kelsey cannot overstate how important the partnership is with Hayden Paddon, ‘As a technology-led brand, the relationship with Hayden allows us to showcase our innovations on a local and international stage. Hayden is a professional through-and-through and represents the direction and values that we strive to achieve at Hyundai New Zealand. It’s also helps that he’s a bloody good driver too and wins his fair share of rallies!’

In Hayden’s own words, the partnership with Hyundai New Zealand is a match made in heaven, ‘Our philosophy at Paddon Rallysport aligns closely with 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 advancement of electrified vehicle technologies.’

This is no better representation of Hayden’s commitment to excellence than what was achieved in 2023. Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard are the current European Rally Championship (ERC) champions, with their accolade in 2023 making them the first non-Europeans to ever win the ERC in it’s 70 year history. For the ERC 2024, Paddon will be back behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car, run by BRC Racing. Eyes around the globe will be eagerly watching their performance at the season opener, Rally Hungary on 10-14 April.

Despite a packed European schedule, Paddon couldn’t stay away from the NZRC, starting off by tackling Rally South Canterbury on May 10-11. On home turf in 2024, Paddon expects to be putting his Hyundai i20 AP4 and i20 N Rally2 cars to the test.

The other car in the stable, the KONA EV rally car, has been a particular fan-favourite and demonstrated huge potential out on the loose stuff. As part of this season, Paddon Racing Group will work with Hyundai New Zealand on some exciting modifications to the fan-favourite KONA, enhancing performance while remaining true to the sustainability benefits of an electrified vehicle.

Hayden is also especially enthusiastic about Hyundai’s first all-electric performance road car, the IONIQ 5 N and also the year ahead. ‘Just a few days back I was luckily enough to be among the first in New Zealand to take the 5 N for a spin. What a machine, this is as close to a race car as you can have for the road. It’s definitely not mandatory to have pistons to have fun!’

‘The last 10 years have flown by. It feels like we are just getting started and there is so much more to achieve in our sights. Not only are we committed to defending our ERC & NZ Rally Championship titles, we also have another few big surprises up our sleeve. Bring on the next 10 years!’

Paddon’s progress in the ERC can be tracked here: www.fiaerc.com
And in New Zealand Rally Championship here: www.nzrallychamps.co.nz