Hayden Paddon has packed out the month of May with a busy rally schedule ahead. Having just won the Otago Rally for his tenth time, Paddon is first heading to Italy before tackling three events in three weeks coupled with a lot of international travel.
Paddon has underlined his FIA European Rally Championship ERC) title intensions by confirming he will be heading to the Rally Islas Canarias (5-6 May) before returning to New Zealand for Rally Whangarei (12-14 May) and then to back to the Northern Hemisphere for Rally Poland (20-21 May).
“As if our season was not already busy, we have a huge couple of months ahead,” commented Paddon. “Together with the BRC team we have decided to compete at round 2, Rally Islas Canarias.
“To get warmed up for our first tarmac rally in the new Hyundai i20N Rally2, we will also compete next week at Rally Alba (Italy) (13-15 April), with Jared Hudson in the co-driver seat.”
The Kiwi tops the provisional ERC standings following his dramatic final-stage victory on the season-opening Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto last month.
However, with ERC regulations allowing drivers to count all but one score, Paddon and his BRC Racing Team hadn’t originally planned to include the all-Tarmac Rally Islas Canarias on their schedules for 2023.
But as 35-year-old Paddon explained, missing the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-based event from 4 – 6 May was not an option.
“After Portugal we met with the team to discuss what was going to strengthen our championship bid the most and, while originally, we planned to have Canarias as our ‘drop’ round, we decided together it was too early in the season for that,” said Paddon.
“From what I have seen, Rally Islas Canarias looks like a beautiful rally and I can’t wait. To help us prepare, we will compete at Rally di Alba as we have not yet driven the new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 on Tarmac – so a perfect test rally.”
Paddon added: “I must say a huge thank you to the team. Not only a world-class team to work with as in Portugal, but the way we are working together with these extra events and plan for the season will give us all the best chance of trying to win the ERC.”
Gabriele Rizzo, Team Principal of BRC Racing Team, said: “Fafe’s success boosted our commitment for the season so we are happy to confirm with Hayden the participation at these two great events. Thanks to the support of our partners and Pirelli.
“Alba is our home rally we have already won in past years. It’s a great event, that we really look to see in FIA ERC in next years, well organised by passionate people in a fantastic location with challenging roads.
“We will approach it without specific preparation as it will be used to build up mileage on Tarmac, both for the team and for Hayden, with our Hyundai i20 N Rally2 before Canarias.”
Rally Regione Piemonte (formerly Rally di Alba) takes place from 13 – 15 April and counts as round two of the Sparco Italian Rally Championship.
While John Kennard, Paddon’s long-term co-driver, will partner him on Rally Islas Canarias, young New Zealander Jared Hudson will co-drive in Alba.
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