Hayden Paddon

[AnttiL]

Ah, the facebook text is a bit longer (twitter doesn't mention giving up)

[Mk2 RS2000]

quitting is not in his make up

[Jarek Z]

Haden Paddon is 2023 European Rally Champion! I think it's the first time ever for a non-European driver and first time ever for Hyundai.

Congratulations! :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3-vkrtXgAAvJh6?format=jpg&name=large

[bomber21]

He deserved it!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hayden Paddon is in Europe and his first event is the Donegal International Rally starting today. This is the biggest event in Ireland and over 3 days.

Live coverage on FB & YOUTUBE with On the Limit Sports.

https://www.youtube.com/live/maBs5m1A_ic?si=vnSdRlRtVsbEYQfk

[saco0o]

Hayden Paddon is in Europe and his first event is the Donegal International Rally starting today. This is the biggest event in Ireland and over 3 days.

Live coverage on FB & YOUTUBE with On the Limit Sports.

https://www.youtube.com/live/maBs5m1A_ic?si=vnSdRlRtVsbEYQfk

(hes also doing ypress!)
jeeeez they have what? 15 secs interval between the cars? haha looks dangerous

[Steve Boyd]

jeeeez they have what? 15 secs interval between the cars? haha looks dangerousIt's 30 secs between cars, actually, which is quite common on tarmac rallies in the British Isles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's 30 secs between cars, actually, which is quite common on tarmac rallies in the British Isles.

It seems less when you can watch a car go through for 10 sec...

BTW Paddon lost 9.3s to Armstrong on the first stage this morning. They have swapped places, Paddon now 5th, Armstrong up to 2nd Overall!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Reports that Paddon is off on SS13... crew ok.

Now says he had quite a bad roll.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Donegal Rally action & Paddon crash @12.05 ...

https://youtu.be/1JAJM5cuw8A?si=kE6SN9iY63RTfeEf

[Steve Boyd]

It seems less when you can watch a car go through for 10 sec...Very true - especially if you're near the end of a stage and the crew following has caught up some seconds on the car ahead!

[Jarek Z]

Next event for Paddon - Ypres Rally. Entry list is here:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/90986-ardeca-ypres-rally-2025/

[Jarek Z]

Hayden Paddon:

"It’s P2 in Ypres - very happy with the weekend and while it’s not the win, it was an enjoyable and close fought battle with Stephane and the locals. Loved the rally and the roads! Big thanks to the BMA team for a faultless car and everyone that made the event possible for us. Big thanks to Jared who did a brilliant job on the notes.

No rest, on a plane tomorrow to prepare for next weeks Rally Queensland - round 3 of the Australian Rally Championship"

Final results:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/90986-ardeca-ypres-rally-2025/

[Humber]

Story on Down Under motorsport media this week.
I doubt there is the budget available from NZ alone for such a project.

https://speedcafe.com/motorsport-news-2025-hayden-padodn-on-fia-world-rally-championship-team-ambition-privateer-plans-exclusive-details/

[deephouse]

He could reach out to any chinese brand as this seems the right time to do it. He should forget about Hyundai as they are not giving a single fu**.

[Humber]

A Chinese brand in rallying would be highly unlikely.
The Chinese Auto-industry is in a consolidation phase, probably with lean operations & no room for luxuries like motorsport.
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/07/more-chinese-ev-firms-heading-to-extinction/
GWM this year has set up a small department in Australia for adapting their vehicles to Australian conditions.
https://www.drive.com.au/news/holden-engineering-legend-hired-by-gwm/
(With the closure of Holden & Ford & the Japanese brands manufacturing operations in Australia, the engineers went elsewhere to Tesla in the US for example)

Paddon's rallying has had Hyundai New Zealand (a separate operation from big Hyundai) as a cornerstone backer for many years.

[KiwiWRCfan]

Hayden shares thoughts on what it would take for WRC to return to New Zealand again
https://speedcafe.com/motorsport-news-2025-fia-world-rally-championship-new-zealand-return-update-hayden-paddon-comments-exclusive/