History 2010s

Hayden Paddon

Overview Achievements Vehicles Style & Legacy Teamwork

Overview

Born on April 20, 1987, in Geraldine, New Zealand, Hayden Paddon rose through the ranks of national and international rallying to become a WRC event winner and a national hero. After dominating the New Zealand Rally Championship, Paddon’s breakthrough came with victory in the 2011 Production World Rally Championship (PWRC). His big opportunity in the WRC came with Hyundai Motorsport, where he showcased his pace on both gravel and tarmac, culminating in a historic victory at Rally Argentina in 2016 — the first-ever WRC win for a New Zealander.

🏆 Major Achievements

Paddon’s success opened the door for more New Zealand talent to dream of international rally careers, making him a trailblazer for his region.

Vehicle Highlights

  • Hyundai i20 WRC (2014–2018): The car in which he claimed his historic Rally Argentina win.
  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX (PWRC): Championship-winning machine in the 2011 Production World Rally Championship.
  • Hyundai i20 AP4: Used in regional and national events after stepping back from the full WRC schedule.

From PWRC machinery to the cutting-edge WRC Hyundai, Paddon proved himself in vastly different cars and conditions.

Driving Style & Legacy

Hayden Paddon is renowned for his aggressive yet controlled driving on gravel, with an ability to extract maximum pace from his machinery. His commitment and work ethic earned him respect across the WRC paddock, while his Argentina victory remains a landmark moment for Oceania in world rallying.

Navigation & Teamwork

Paddon’s long-time co-driver, John Kennard, was instrumental in his rise through the ranks. Their deep mutual trust allowed them to take calculated risks while maintaining consistency, especially on fast, flowing stages where precision was essential.

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