NZ RALLY STAR CONFIRMED FOR COFFS COAST APRC

Hayden Paddon has confirmed his spot for the November 25-27 Coffs Coast Rally, and will contest in the season finale of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

The APRC will coincide with the final round of the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship, in what will be the conclusion of a massive month of motorsport for the NSW town, with the Coffs Coast Festival of Motorsport also covering the entire month of November.

Paddon was the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship-3 title winner, as well as capturing five New Zealand Rally Championships in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2018 and 2021. He also leads the Current NZRC with three wins from three attempts.

Paddon and his co-driver John Kennard have had a busy year, with a stint in Europe in both the WRC and FIA European Rally Championship, as well as his successful duties in New Zealand, which has qualified him for November’s APRC finale on the Coffs Coast.

Before that however, Paddon will head to Wales, UK, to contest in the Get Connected Rali Ceredigion, where Australia’s own rally star, Harry Bates will be competing, before the two meet in Coffs Harbour once again.

“I’m looking forward to the rally, especially going up against the likes of Harry. We have been up against Harry before and he will be very fierce throughout, so I expect it to be a good fight,” said Paddon.

Paddon in action during the 2017 Kennards Hire Rally Australia.
Photo: Jaanus Ree

As for the APRC, Paddon is looking forward to the high pressure one round shoot-out format for the title, and having raced in Coffs Harbour on seven occasions, will feel confident of a strong result.

“I’ve always enjoyed the Coffs Coast roads – it’s always been one of my favourite rounds of the WRC,” Paddon explained.

“From a competitor’s point of view, it has quite a nice and relaxed vibe for a rally, the local community gets behind the rally and supports us, so it was always one that we enjoyed.

“I particularly love the public road stages we used to do in the Nambucca region, but I believe they won’t be in this year’s rally. In saying that, there are still plenty of the forestry stages, which are similar in character.

“Obviously there will be some slight differences but we’ve got a pretty good idea on what to expect and we know the weather plays a big part. If it’s dry, they’re quite nice conditions but if it is raining, like I did on the previous two Sundays we were there, it turns it into an absolute mud bath.

“With this year being in late November instead of September like when we used to do it, I’m expecting it to be a warm rally, which means there will put a lot more pressure and stress on the cars, components, cooling system and tyre wear.

“It does change the dynamics of the rally a little bit but, nothing we can’t handle. It does mean that we must consider it with our planning.

“All in all, the whole team is looking forward to it and we’re enjoying being able to do some international rallies again. It’s nice to spread our wings a little bit again and experience some different rallies.”

The November 25-27 event will be the crown on top of Coffs Harbour huge month of Motorsport, with the Coffs Coast Festival starting on November 5 with the Massive Motor Show presented by the Coffs City Rotary Club, which has led the organisation of the festival in conjunction with the local Motorsport clubs.

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