Rallying legend Hayden Paddon, New Zealand’s motorsport trailblazer and reigning European Rally Champion, has set his sights on a groundbreaking new challenge. While fans might expect him to eye another driving milestone, Paddon’s ambitions extend far beyond the cockpit: he’s exploring the opportunity to build and run his own World Rally Championship team under the new cost-effective regulations coming in 2027.
Paddon’s Vision: A Kiwi Team on the World Stage
With over 80 WRC events under his belt and a historic victory at Rally Argentina in 2016, Paddon’s shift in focus reflects his long-standing passion for fostering Kiwi talent and innovation in the global rallying arena. Speaking about the WRC’s updated framework, Paddon expressed enthusiasm for the reduced costs and potential flexibility in car design.
“These new rules that have been announced for ’27 are definitely of interest and create opportunities for people like us to potentially build and run our own cars,” Paddon shared. “It would be great to utilize some of the good Kiwi ingenuity and innovation we’ve got going down here.”
Affordable and Flexible: The 2027 Rulebook
The 2027 regulations aim to slash costs significantly, retaining spaceframe chassis but integrating Rally2-level engines, transmissions, and brakes. A proposed cost cap of €345,000 is expected to make WRC participation accessible to smaller teams, a stark contrast to the prohibitive costs of Rally1 programs.
Paddon is particularly drawn to the prospect of designing and building cars in New Zealand, which could create a unique narrative and attract sponsors and investors.
“There’s just a lot more of a storyline you can tell… launching a New Zealand team if things are actually built and designed from Kiwi land,” he explained. “It could open up opportunities for us.”
Closer to Home: Tackling the Australian Rally Championship
As Paddon eyes 2027, his immediate focus will shift closer to home. After dominating the European Rally Championship for two seasons, Paddon plans to take on the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) in 2025. Toyota has long reigned supreme in Australia, with the Bates brothers, Harry and Lewis, leading the charge. But Paddon is eager to disrupt that dominance, a challenge that evokes memories of the iconic Possum Bourne vs. Neal Bates rivalry of the 1990s.
“Hyundai hasn’t won in Australia before, so we like the challenge of trying to change the status quo,” Paddon said, adding with a smile: “It’s something new and different, and it reminds me of the Trans-Tasman rivalry.”
Celebrating 20 Years with John Kennard
Paddon’s long-time co-driver John Kennard, with whom he has shared countless victories, might make an appearance for a special milestone in 2025: their 20th anniversary as a rallying duo. However, Paddon is also nurturing the next generation of talent, with Jared Hudson potentially joining the roster.
“First, we’ve got to work out what our program is and what rallies we will do, and then it’ll be a mix of both [Kennard and Hudson] throughout the season,” Paddon explained.
The Road Ahead
As Paddon balances his 2025 ARC plans with long-term aspirations for a Kiwi-led WRC team, his vision underscores his deep commitment to rallying and his homeland. Should he succeed, 2027 might mark not just a new chapter for WRC but also the dawn of a team built from the ground up by New Zealand’s finest.
For rally fans, Paddon’s journey promises a story of innovation, national pride, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—on and off the track.