It’s truthful to say ’s return to the World Rally Championship subsequent yr after an eight-year hiatus was a shock for the rally world to digest. It was even a shock for Paddon, nevertheless it was a kind of “good surprises” that underlines why you will need to by no means hand over on desires.
That dream is now actuality, because the 38-year-old finds himself making ready to contest subsequent month’s WRC season opener in Monte Carlo. The likeable Kiwi will soar behind the wheel of Hyundai’s third manufacturing unit i20 N Rally1 automobile, following a shakeup of the Korean marque’s line-up after the departure of 2019 world champion .
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“I used to be very stunned [to receive the call from Hyundai] however it’s a good shock, and it has occurred all in a short time too, perhaps one week [is all it took]. I haven’t actually had a number of time to consider it however for positive it’s a huge alternative,” stated Paddon.
As Paddon places it ‘rallying is his life’ and that’s a fairly correct assertion. The New Zealander has spent a profession sacrificing and striving to achieve rallying’s pinnacle – a dream that was initially reached along with his personal personal staff again in 2007. Lots has occurred since driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 at Rally New Zealand, 18 years in the past.
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That style of the massive time solely spurred Paddon on, climbing the rally ranks earlier than his world modified when Hyundai got here calling providing a part-time manufacturing unit drive in 2014 – the yr the Korean marque rejoined the WRC. Paddon rapidly grew to become a part of the Hyundai furnishings over the following 5 years along with his greatest season arriving in 2016, when he claimed a well-known win in Argentina on his approach to fourth within the championship.
However on the finish of 2018, having completed second within the season ending Rally Australia, behind all of it got here to a shuddering halt. On the time, Paddon’s future was unsure however he had hoped what he labelled a “correct podium” can be sufficient to maintain his WRC dream alive.
“This appears like a correct podium. I felt the previous few we’ve benefitted from others’ misfortune, however we’ve positively earned this one,” Paddon advised this author at Rally Australia again in 2018.
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“We’ve got to see what occurs subsequent season, however I hope this end result helps our trigger. I don’t know if that’s our final rally or not, so we’ll simply wait over the following two weeks, and hopefully one thing will come out of the woodwork.”
Hayden Paddon drove for Hyundai Motorsport in 2018
Hayden Paddon drove for Hyundai Motorsport in 2018
Sadly, nothing got here out of stated woodwork at Hyundai, and the Kiwi has been determined to return to the WRC ever since.
To his credit score Paddon saved on rallying and proving his value, and crucially remained connected to the Hyundai model by way of his Hyundai New Zealand connections which were loyal in backing Paddon, whether or not or not it’s contesting nationwide championships or formidable tasks akin to creating an all-electric Hyundai Kona rally automobile to showcase the potential of EV rallying.
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Three nationwide titles in New Zealand and one in Australia [2025], alongside back-to-back European Rally Championship titles, driving a semi manufacturing unit supported Hyundai i20 N Rally2 in 2023 and 2024, once more showcased Paddon nonetheless has the talents to compete on the highest degree. However even after eight years on the WRC sidelines, many drivers would have almost certainly given up hope for a return, however not Paddon. And now he finds himself again within the Hyundai WRC fold alongside and .
“Firstly, I’m extremely grateful and privileged for this chance. It’s one thing we’ll work tirelessly for, to make sure we contribute to the staff’s final objectives,” Paddon stated.
“After 12 years with Hyundai, it’s a model I’m immensely proud to characterize, and one I need to assist push ahead each on and off the phases.
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“Only a few folks actually know simply how a lot I’ve sacrificed all through my life for this sport – personally, professionally, and in each quiet second in between. That hasn’t modified, the dedication continues to be the identical. Not as a result of I’ve to, however as a result of I genuinely need to. To assume we’ll return to the WRC eight years after our final occasion is one thing extremely uncommon, nevertheless it reveals that when you keep focussed, keep affected person, and by no means hand over, something is feasible.”
Hayden Paddon saved his ties with Hyundai by way of different collection
Hayden Paddon saved his ties with Hyundai by way of different collection
Paddon hits the nail on the top. In sport and rallying particularly “something is feasible”. However to realize on this area requires dedication, sacrifice and laborious work. All three of those attributes Paddon has in abundance, nevertheless it isn’t the one factor he now has in his locker.
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These intervening years since his final WRC outing have seen Paddon develop as a driver and add to his unbelievable quantity of expertise, which is likely one of the the explanation why Hyundai has come calling. The model is determined to hit the bottom working in its pursuit of Toyota within the producers’ crown and sees utilising expertise as its ticket to the trophy.
“Bringing in Dani, EP and Hayden permits us to name upon their particular person strengths to help our producers’ title ambitions subsequent yr,” stated Hyundai’s sporting director Andrew Wheatley.
“We had a tough determination to make – whether or not to go for expertise and consistency, or herald a rising star and nurture them. Nonetheless, we’re within the final yr of the Rally1 technical laws, and we imagine the proper path is to herald drivers with data of the automobile and the staff.”
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Paddon is totally conscious that this second WRC likelihood will certainly be totally different from the time earlier than. Not solely have the vehicles modified since 2018, however so have the aims. Goals of changing into world champion have lengthy been parked, however there may be nonetheless a chance for silverware.
“Eight years on, I can say I’m a distinct driver. And along with [co-driver] John [Kennard] by my aspect – after our 20-year journey to this point – we imagine our expertise will serve properly. Our mindset right this moment may be very totally different to what it was again then. If you’re younger, the one factor you may take into consideration is successful,” stated Paddon.
“After all we would like Hyundai to win, however our position now could be clear; to do the very best job for the staff and help our full-time team-mates [ and ]. We are going to give the whole lot we’ve, and work more durable than ever, to verify we do exactly that.”
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The laborious work to arrange for a WRC return – at arguably one of many hardest rallies on the calendar – in Monte Carlo, begins now. Nicely, truly, it started final week when Paddon was rapidly summoned to contest Rallye Nationwide Hivernal du Devoluy in France in Rally2 equipment. It proved to be a invaluable outing to find out how the Hankook WRC tyres react on asphalt, earlier than stepping as much as the Rally1 automobile for the annual curtain raiser on the well-known winding roads across the Monaco principality subsequent month.
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“There is no such thing as a query Monte Carlo goes to be a difficult occasion for us. However we again ourselves to ship what’s required, and it’s head down now to arrange and do precisely that,” Paddon provides.
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