Is there anyone busier in motorsport right now than Hayden Paddon? Fresh off a plane from a hardcore European tarmac campaign, the Kiwi rally legend has just swapped his passport for a helmet and promptly dominated Rally Queensland, asserting his authority over the Australian Rally Championship.
The fast and technical gravel roads of Gympie were the battleground for Round 3 of the ARC, and Paddon, behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20 Rally2, was simply in a class of his own.The victory strengthens his grip on the championship, proving yet again that whether it’s home soil or across the ditch, he’s the benchmark.”Really happy to get the win here in Queensland,” a chuffed Paddon said after the event. “It was a great event, and the team delivered a car that gave us the confidence to push. This championship is really competitive, so every rally is a battle and this was no different.”
What makes this win even more impressive is the whirlwind schedule leading up to it. This wasn’t a case of turning up fresh; Paddon and his team flew in straight from a successful, if demanding, stint in Europe.
First, they threw down the gauntlet at Belgium’s infamous Rally Ypres. Known for its unforgiving, narrow farm lanes and massive cuts, Ypres chews up and spits out even the most seasoned pros.Paddon didn’t just survive; he thrived, putting on a masterclass of precision driving to clinch a stunning second place overall against fierce international competition.“It was great to be back on European tarmac, and I’m really proud of what we achieved,” Paddon reflected. “Ypres especially was a highlight, it’s a technical rally with no margin for error, so to come away with second was a great result.”
Just before that, the team took on the legendary bumps and jumps of the Donegal International Rally in Ireland. They were right at the sharp end, mixing it with the local heroes and eyeing a podium finish before a retirement on Day 2 brought their charge to a halt. But in rallying, even a DNF is data. “Ireland was going really well too until our retirement, but that’s rallying. We banked a lot of learning from both,” he explained.
To be competitive on Irish tarmac, Belgian lanes, and Australian gravel in the space of a few weeks is a monumental task that speaks volumes about the skill of the driver and the professionalism of the Paddon Rallysport team.
“It’s been a packed calendar lately, but I’m really happy with how the team’s performing,” Paddon added. “We’re pushing hard on all fronts, domestic, regional, and overseas and we are really enjoying being behind the wheel and getting results in such a variety of locations.”
The epic run of form hasn’t gone unnoticed by his long-time supporters, Hyundai New Zealand, who are thrilled to see the Kiwi flag flying high on the world stage.
“Hayden continues to fly the New Zealand flag with distinction, whether it’s Europe, Australia or here at home,” said Leighton Agnew, General Manager Sales of Hyundai New Zealand. “We’re incredibly proud to support a driver and team that consistently competes at the highest level.”
One week, it’s a high-stakes battle on foreign tarmac; the next, it’s a gravel masterclass in Australia. For Hayden Paddon, it’s just another month at the office, an office where the view is always changing, but the goal is always the top step of the podium.
