Photo: Paddon Rallysport Group

Former WRC driver Hayden Paddon joins TCR New Zealand grid

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Former WRC driver Hayden Paddon will be on the grid for the sole TCR New Zealand championship race at Highlands Motorsport Park on April 23-24.

“It was a bit unexpected. We hadn’t planned to compete in TCR this season. However, with a one round title decider at our home track, it would be rude not to be on the grid,” said Paddon to talkmotorsport.co.nz.

Paddon will drive a Hyundai i30 N TCR for his own team Paddon Rallysport Group, the same car he has driven in selected endurance races in New Zealand.

“The enduros were quite different as they are more about strategy and pacing yourself,” said Paddon.

“You can actually be racing by yourself for most of the time. These sprint races will be quite different, and I expect everyone will be quite even on performance. That will provide some great racing.”

The Kiwi has won the New Zealand Rally Championship several times and claimed one WRC victory.

“Circuit racing is still new to me. Everything is different to what I am used to, from the weekend format, to having cars competing all around you,” said Paddon.

“At the end of the day, what is similar to rallying is that we are all trying to make the car go fast.”