Paddon and Kennard Clinch Australian Rally Championship in Tasmania

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard secured their place in motorsport history by winning the Australian Rally Championship at the final round held in Burnie, Tasmania, over the weekend. Driving their Hyundai i20 Rally2, the New Zealand duo became the second all-New Zealand pairing to achieve this title, following the legendary Possum Bourne and Craig Vincent.

Paddon and Kennard’s victory marks a significant milestone, as they now join the ranks of champions, with Bourne previously winning the championship five times between 1996 and 1999 and again in 2001. Bourne also claimed titles in 2000 and 2002 with co-driver Mark Stacey. At 66 years old, Kennard may be the oldest co-driver in the world to win a national rally title, adding to the historic nature of their achievement.

Championship Journey

Heading into the Tasmania rally, Paddon and Kennard had already demonstrated their prowess by winning four of the previous five rounds, establishing an 85-point lead. With a requirement to finish in 12th place or better to clinch the championship, the pair approached the two-day event with confidence.

After a strong performance on Saturday, they ended the day in second place, just 7.4 seconds behind the leaders, Harry Bates and Coral Taylor. However, Sunday proved to be a test of endurance and strategy. A broken damper during the rally’s longest stage, measuring 44 kilometers, forced them to manage their vehicle’s performance carefully.

Despite the challenges, Paddon and Kennard maintained their composure, successfully navigating through the final stages of the rally. They ultimately finished in third place, securing their championship title in a dramatic fashion.

Reflections on the Victory

“We’re really happy to get the result over the line,” Paddon said. “There was a lot of pressure this weekend just to finish. Performance wasn’t really an aspect we needed to push for, and it’s always a bit more nerve-racking when it’s like that.”

He added, “Things that can happen that are outside your control, which almost did happen with a broken damper this afternoon and losing a bit of time as we nursed the car home. In the end, we got home in P3, which, in some ways, is almost irrelevant.”

Both drivers expressed immense pride in their achievement, emphasizing the hard work and dedication of their entire team throughout the season. “It’s great to bring home the result and win the championship. It’s great to do this for the whole team. Everyone’s put in a lot of work this year,” Paddon concluded.

This victory not only solidifies Paddon and Kennard’s legacy in the sport but also pays tribute to the memory of Bourne, whose impact on rallying continues to inspire new generations of drivers.