17 years ago, Hayden Paddon first arrived in Wales, wide-eyed and excited, unable to wait to start his journey towards international rallying. This week? The end of that road may be in sight.
Don't be fooled. Anyone who knows the New Zealander knows he's never going to leave the sport. He's a rally driver through and through, but his time competing in Europe may be coming to an end. This week's Rallye Ceredigion is set to be the final European Rally Championship round for the defending European Rally Champion.
“This could be my last,” Paddon told DirtFish. “If so, it's ironic considering it was my first international event (Rally GB) in 2007. In 17 years, I've come full circle. The relationship with Hyundai New Zealand is very strong so you can't deny it and we've got some good projects going on with them domestically.”
“Maybe it means we might look to go elsewhere. So, yes, I've been talking about that a little bit, but this rally might be the end. There might not be as much opportunity for the brand in Europe next year.”
