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Former WRC driver Hayden Paddon to visit Latvia, enters Rally Liepāja
07.06.2022

LIEPĀJA, LATVIA
7 June 2022

With FIA European Rally Championship fifth round Rally Liepāja cornering up in July 1-3, former WRC Hyundai Motorsport teamdriver Hayden Paddon has been confirmed as first entrant for rally taking place in Kurzeme region, from Talsi to Latvia. Paddon will be racing with brand new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car.

 Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

New Zealander Hayden Paddon did his last season with WRC class car in 2018, getting two podium finishes that season. His last WRC appearance took place in 2019, when Paddon joined WRC2 category, racing in Wales Rally GB with M-Sport team prepared Ford Fiesta R5 car. In his WRC career, Paddon has started in 81 rallies, being on podium for 8 times, and getting one victory in Argentina (2016) as well.

For this year Paddon has got brand new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 class car, with which he has planned to race in several FIA World Rally Championship rounds. As the car is completely new, Rally Liepāja will be great test event before racing in WRC2 class in World Championship.

“We are excited to start our European campaign with our NZ team at Rally Liepāja. However, it is focused as a test event for us – we will be taking delivery of our new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car the day before the event and the first time we drive will be at shakedown. So we will use the event to learn the car and try many setups in preparation for the next events. I have never been to Latvia before, but heard many good things about the country and rally, and our whole team look forward to visiting,” says Kiwi Hayden Paddon.

Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard crew is the first one to be announced as Rally Liepāja competitors, but applications continue until June 15th.

FIA European Rally Championship fifth round Rally Liepāja this year is going to be held at July 1-3, and its stages have been set to happen in Talsi region and Dienvidkurzeme region.

 

 

Round of the 2022 FIA European Rally Championship event Rally Liepāja is possible thanks to the support provided by the government of Latvia, rally city Liepāja, as well as our partner Talsi region. The event is run thanks to sponsors Ramirent and SC Grupa/Eurovia and in collaboration with Magnetic Latvia. Thanks to our official car rental Sixt and our supporters Fristads, Liepājas Olimpiskais Centrs, Liepājas Speciālā Ekonomiskā Zona, and Canon Biznesa Centrs Liepāja. Informative support is provided by news media DELFI and media partners MVP, Sporta Avīze, Talsu Vēstis, and Kurzemes Radio. We also express our gratitude to our friends MB Grupa, Törley, Sportland, SignTech, FN Serviss, Jānis Pūce, Red Bull, Flora, Lofbergs, EL Networks, and Baltic Taxi. Rally Liepāja is organized in association with Dienvidkurzeme region and Latvian Automobile Federation.

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard // ©Paddon Rallysport

 

On 20.07.2021. RA EVENTS has signed an agreement No. SKV-TL-2021/15 with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia for support provided under the “Promotion of international competitiveness” framework that is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.