New Zealand rally star, Hayden Paddon, has his eyes focused on the Italian round of the World Rally Championship on the first weekend in June, when he makes his long-awaited debut for the Hyundai World Rally Team.

After competing in the International Classic Rally of Otago last weekend, Paddon spoke to RallySport Magazine, and said that he can’t wait for the event to roll around.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for the first rally and we’ll keep doing our homework and studying the in-car, and then we’ll be as ready as we can be by the time it comes to the rally,” Paddon said.

“We did a few days testing in France a couple of weeks ago, so it was good to spend some time in the car for the first time, to get to know what it does.

PaddonHyundaiPaddon will make his Hyundai WRC debut in Italy next month.“We didn’t go so much into changing the car, just about learning the basics of the car, and working with the team. Now when we test in Poland we’ll actually be able to get the car set up more for my driving, but already the car is very, very good from the chassis, and I’m sure we can develop it more for my driving.”

After making his World Rally Car debut in a Ford Fiesta last year, Paddon said that the Hyundai is “completely different” to the Ford.

“The Fiesta didn’t really suit my driving style. It’s a car that you really had to rely on the rear wheels and the rear axle, and the weight transfer in the car, whereas the Hyundai is a lot more balanced. You can really lean on the front axle, and I also tend to drive with a bit of understeer, so it suits me quite well,” he added.

“Considering how young the car is, the times it’s been setting this weekend in Argentina have been quite respectable.

“I believe they have another power plant coming as the year progresses. But you know, it is not just the engine, it’s lot of things that are constantly developing and they are putting a lot of resources and a lot of effort into the project, and I am sure as the year progresses, the car is going to get better.”

For rally fans down under, the chance to see Paddon competing against Australian, Chris Atkinson, in the same car, is something that’s whetting their appetites. Paddon is also eager to do battle in Coffs Harbour in September.

“Oh, definitely! It’s only fair though that Neal (Bates) comes over here and beats the Kiwis on our turf, so it’s only fair that we can go back there and beat the Aussies on their turf," Paddon said, referring to Bates' win at last weekend's Otago Rally.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and that’s going to be a great battle, not only with Chris, but it’s a rally I know, we’ve done it the last couple of years it’s been there (Coffs Harbour), it’s a rally I enjoy, so I think we can target a top result there.”

To listen to the full interview with Hayden Paddon, CLICK HERE.

Paddon400Hayden Paddon in action in the Otago Rally last weekend.

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