The international rallying scene spotlight turned sharply toward Hayden Paddon as he secured a commanding victory at the one-day rally around Whakatane. Partnered with co-driver Jared Hudson, the Kiwi ace mastered nine grueling special stages covering 162 kilometers of demanding gravel and forest roads winding around Kawerau and the scenic lakes of Rotoiti and Rotoma. Their flawless execution on the loose surfaces allowed them to build a comfortable two-minute cushion over runners-up Mike Young and Amy Hudson by the time they crossed the final flying finish.
This triumph marks Paddon’s fourth consecutive victory in the regional event, having previously claimed three straight wins with Jared Hudson and sharing the cockpit with WRC veteran John Kennard. Beyond the celebratory champagne, the weekend carried immense sentimental value as it served an emotional farewell to the Paddon Racing Group’s exceptionally successful Hyundai i20 N Rally2. This particular chassis has enjoyed an almost untouchable record, winning virtually every single domestic and international rally event it has contested across New Zealand and Australia over recent seasons.
Reflecting on the emotional milestone, the former WRC star emphasized the significance of bringing the car's legendary chapter to a close on the highest possible note. He stated that a good result always feels nice, and since this was their final outing with that particular Rally2 car, it was especially pleasing to bring its story to a close with one more victory. However, the triumph did not come without its fair share of driving challenges, particularly given their starting position at the head of the running order.
Opening the road meant dealing with massive amounts of loose gravel that severely hindered lateral grip and traction through the sweeping apexes. Alongside Jared Hudson, they had to navigate conditions that proved to be more slippery than ever before in the history of the event, while simultaneously utilizing the competitive mileage to test various Hankook rally tyre compounds and gather vital telemetry data for future development. Amidst the rigorous testing and competitive running, the team's mechanics received high praise for delivering trouble-free machinery throughout the entire weekend.
As the dust settles on the regional finale, attention instantly shifts toward what lies ahead for the New Zealand standout following his impressive WRC outings with Hyundai's factory squad last year, where he secured two notable podium finishes. Addressing the intense speculation surrounding his motorsport career trajectory, he admitted that the big question of what comes next remains entirely unresolved. He noted that it is currently very unclear what the future will bring both domestically and internationally, though they intend to explore all viable options in the coming months to assemble a competitive package.
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