News that Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon has confirmed his entry into the Super 2000 World Rally Championship for June 2012 is very exciting for New Zealand motorsport, say officials from Rally New Zealand. The rally route take competitors south from Auckland to Raglan and Te Akau, then northwards to Whangarei and Northland, with the final day including a power stage in the Auckland region.
Peter ‘PJ’ Johnston, who chairs Rally New Zealand, says Paddon continues to make history with his 2011 Production World Rally Championship title and now confirmation of the SWRC campaign for 2012. Johnston adds: “When the 2012 running of Rally New Zealand takes place from 21 to 24 June, it’s going to be tremendously exciting for Kiwi fans to see Hayden competing in the very quick Skoda Fabia against a whole new class of competitors. We’re all looking forward to seeing Hayden in action next June.”
“We are delighted that with the support of his management company’s shareholders and sponsors such as the Giltrap Group and PlaceMakers, Hayden has been able to confirm his entry into the Super 2000 World Rally Championship in a Skoda Fabia S2000 car for next year,” says Johnston. “Hayden made history with his PWRC victory and now he’s done it again with his entry into the SWRC, which is the key WRC feeder series and something that no other Kiwi has ever contested before. Hayden is a fantastic ambassador for New Zealand as a whole, as well as our sport.”
Many people and organisations have played a part in the talented Kiwi’s increasingly successful career.
“Hayden has had the opportunity to learn and improve his skills through various initiatives such as MotorSport New Zealand’s Elite Academy and Rally New Zealand’s Rising Stars driver development programme. With his own considerable talents and determination, Hayden is now one of the – if not the most successful rally driver to ever come out of New Zealand. We’re delighted to have played some part in his success.”
Rally New Zealand is the seventh round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship and the fourth round of the 2012 New Zealand Rally Championship. More information will become available in coming weeks on www.rallynz.org.nz.