Motorsport: Hayden Paddon scores new drive in 2019

  • 01/02/2019
Kiwi driver Hayden Paddon.
Kiwi driver Hayden Paddon. Photo credit: Photosport

After being dumped from the world rally championship by Hyundai, Kiwi driver Hayden Paddon's landed a new gig for 2019.

The 31-year-old will compete in the new Global Rallycross Europe series in a Hyundai i30 Pantera X6.

Rallycross is contested on a mixed-surface circuit in rally-style cars, racing, as opposed to time-trialling like in the WRC.

Paddon is familiar with the sport, but admits it will take time getting used to racing head-to-head against other cars once again.

"I have been in rallying for a long time, so rallycross is not completely new to me, but I will have to adapt to cars racing alongside me," said Paddon.

"GRC Europe will be a new challenge and I am looking forward to taking it on, joining the other drivers throughout the year and trying to be competitive."

GRC Europe will run over six weekends, comprising five doubleheaders and a season finale at Estering in Germany.

The season starts in June and concludes in October, with events in France, UK, Portugal, Australia, Hungary and Germany.

Paddon was left without a drive in the WRC, when Hyundai signed nine-time champion Sebastien Loeb to share its third car with Dani Sordo this season.

Newshub.