Video: Hayden Paddon to drive for Hyundai in New Zealand Rally Championship

Kiwi World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon is back in the country to launch Hyundai's campaign for the New Zealand Rally Championship.

Hyundai will compete in all six rounds of the championship, with Paddon taking the wheel for two of the rounds. Defending New Zealand rally champ David Holder and shootout champion Job Quantock will also race two rounds each.

Twenty-nine-year old Paddon is excited to be a part of this project, and actually get the chance to race in New Zealand.

"I'm incredibly excited to see this project step up to the next level," he said.

"This rally programme is like a baby to me and gives me a lot of satisfaction that, with the support of Hyundai New Zealand and Paddon Rallysport, we are able to give opportunities to other drivers.

"As a team, our goal is to win the manufacturers' title. We have also enlisted the help of some new, young engineers and technicians, which fits nicely with our goal of developing talent for rally-sport in New Zealand.

"The best part of this programme is that I still get a chance to compete locally. I miss New Zealand a lot and we have the best roads and rallies, so to have the chance to still compete at home is amazing."

Paddon is using the time back in New Zealand to relax and focus on the rest of the WRC season.

So far 2017 has been a difficult year for him - he was involved in an accident during the first race of the year in Monte Carlo,which led to the death of a spectator.

The Cantabrian has not said much about that night till now, admitting it was a very difficult time.

"After such an incident it does play with your emotions and when emotions get in front of you it can slow you down," he said.

"It's a matter of keeping to yourself and trying to progress forward,keeping an eye on the main target."

It wasn't until the next Rally in Sweden that Paddon truly felt the effects of the incident.

"I felt we were in a good place going to Sweden, but it wasn't until we got to the start that it hit home and I thought 'this is a little harder to deal with than I thought'."

Paddon will head back overseas in the coming days to prepare for the Rally of Mexico, which is nine days away.

Newshub.