Paddon and Kennard last contested Rally Otago in 2016 when they launched the brand-new Hyundai i20 AP4+ car, winning all but one of the 17 stages. Since then, the New Zealand-built Hyundai i20 rally car has contested most NZRC events piloted by Paddon and other invited drivers, under the Hyundai New Zealand Rally Team banner.“So we will drive a good clean rally, enjoy some of my favourite rally stages in the world, and try and give the team a good result.”
Hayden Paddon will be reunited with John Kennard at the Otago Rally. Photo: Geoff Ridder
“All the pre-season prep and getting everything ready. We have also had a few PR functions with Hyundai customers around the county, which is a fun way to interact with people.”Kennard, who stepped away from Paddon’s World Rally Championship activities in May last year, wasn’t expecting to be calling the notes for Paddon again with such regularity. “It's fantastic to be back in a rally car again and our Hyundai i20 AP4+ is such good fun on those very quick, but challenging Otago roads,” says Kennard, who has just turned 59, and owns and runs a vineyard in Marlborough. “Overall, it's a bit hard to get used to this new life schedule, after having usually been involved in constant testing and three WRC rounds by this time in recent seasons. It certainly makes life feel different!” Kennard adds: “My biggest challenge is to make sure I fit in a race suit, as I asked them to make my new one to the same specs as I’ve had for the last few years! Second challenge, I’m sure, will be to remember all the little things I need to do once I get back in the car, which become second nature when you’re in and out of a car every few weeks. “We’re so lucky that New Zealand is such a great place to rally; I think you look forward to every rally and every stage. Even the stages we think of as ‘rough’ are a dream compared to many on WRC events. I’m really looking forward to Otago.” Another angle to this year’s Otago Rally for Paddon is the burgeoning Paddon Rallysport distribution business. “Paddon Rallysport will have 16 cars in the rally using our product including Winmax brakes, EXT suspension and Evo Corse Wheels. It’s a real buzz seeing products I really believe in and use myself on other competitors’ cars.” Paddon is the top seed for the 14-15 April running of Rally Otago, heading a 65-strong NZRC field.
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