Hayden Paddon taking Kona Electric on rally recce

Rally driver Hayden Paddon is driving the new Hyundai Kona Electric on a reconnaissance (recce) run prior to the Hyundai NZ Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel on August 18.

Paddon says the Kona’s 450km range will allow a full day’s recce with two passes of the course on August 17.

“Quiet, comfortable and surprisingly fast,” is how he describes the Kona Electric which featured at Hyundai’s stand at the recent EVworld NZ trade show and expo in Auckland.

The eight-stage Rally of Coromandel comprises 113.93km and represents unfinished business for Paddon, as it’s the one national rally he’s never won.

He’s back for the second time, contesting round five of this year’s Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship with Malcolm Peden returning for his second event as Paddon’s co-driver.

They’re ranked top seeds among a 60-strong field.

Paddon will drive a Hyundai i20 AP4+ in the rally proper, starting the first special stage at Kennedy Bay at 8.23am on August 18.

Visit haydenpaddon.com or search Facebook for more information.