6^th November 2025 – After a remarkable run of victories at Rally Adelaide Hills, the Ashley Forest Rallysprint, and Rally Bay of Plenty, Hyundai New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon now heads to Rally Tasmania ready to fight for his first-ever Australian Rally Championship (ARC) title.

With long-time co-driver John Kennard alongside, Paddon enters the Tasmanian finale in commanding form. The pair have been the benchmark all season in their Hyundai i20 N Rally2, with blistering pace all year long. Rally Tasmania’s fast, flowing gravel stages will provide a fitting battleground for what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the 2025 ARC.

“We’ve had an amazing season so far, but the job’s not done yet,” says Paddon. “Rally Tasmania is always a tough event. The tricky roads, unpredictable weather, and strong local competition will keep us on our toes all weekend. Our goal is simple: stay focused, bring the car home cleanly, and hopefully celebrate something very special at the finish.”

Now in its eleventh year, the partnership between Paddon Rallysport and Hyundai New Zealand continues to deliver success at every level, from local development of the Hyundai i20 AP4 and Kona Electric Rally Car to the top echelon of competition in the World Rally Championship.

“Hayden and the team have been unstoppable this season,” said Leighton Agnew, General Manager Sales, Hyundai New Zealand. “Every result has been hard earned by the team. To see them on the verge of an Australian championship is incredibly exciting, it’s a true reflection of Hyundai’s spirit of performance.”

Rally Tasmania runs from November 7-9, featuring more than 200 kilometres of demanding gravel stages through the state’s forests and countryside. With one round to go and everything on the line, Paddon and Hyundai New Zealand are poised to make history.