Paddon to electrify Ashley Forest Rallysprint this weekend

Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon is taking the Hyundai Kona EV rally car into competition for the second time, at the Ashley Forest Rallysprint on September 17 and 18.

Paddon won the 1.7km gravel hill climb near Rangiora when it was last run in 2019, completing it in 52.77 seconds in his Hyundai i20 AP4 rally car.

Now he’s focused on winning the event in the Paddon Rallysport electric Hyundai Kona rally car.

Hyundai New Zealand provided significant support for the Kona EV rally car, 80% of which was designed in-house by Paddon’s New Zealand team for the chassis design, engineering, aerodynamics, suspension, steering, cooling, and electrics.

The more than 400kW EV rally car showed its colours when Paddon drove it to victory in its first event at the Waimate 50 Motorsport Festival in October last year. Running in the unlimited 4WD class of the 4.0km gravel hill climb, Paddon did it in one minute and 58.38 seconds.

He’s excited to line up for the Ashley Forest hill climb, an event first run in 1979 by Canterbury’s RATEC Motorsport Club and one that Paddon has long followed.

Recent developments with the Kona EV included fitting a third motor for more power. Paddon describes this as an interim development until a new battery arrives from Austrian company Stohl Advanced Research and Development (STARD) which provides technical support.

As part of a year-long campaign to give back to the communities visited by Paddon Rallysport during their rally year, the Paddon’s Project will see a deserving North Canterbury local offered the opportunity to spend a day with Paddon Rallysport at the Ashley Forest event which includes riding shotgun in the Kona EV’s passenger seat during one of Paddon’s timed runs.

Click here for more Paddon’s Project details.

Paddon says the Kona EV in its new configuration was tested a fortnight ago.

“There is a big unknown in terms of what the car is capable of, but I think that is also why the whole team is excited to see what can be achieved.

“With an extra motor, we’ve had to work on other aspects like the car’s setup, so it’s been a busy time for us all after returning from Europe and getting the Hyundai i20 Rally2 car ahead of Rally New Zealand as well,” he adds.

“But this is such a big part of why we love motorsport. It’s a continuing journey to keep improving and to keep winning.”

Hyundai New Zealand chief executive Andy Sinclair says they’re excited to see how the Kona EV rally car performs against the rest of the field at Ashley Forest.

“This is a key milestone in the journey towards electrification of motorsport in New Zealand, particularly in rally,” he adds.

“There’s no denying this car has significant power and torque. Spectators will be in for a real treat!”

Further support has come from the likes of Z Energy, Mitre 10 Trade, Pak N’ Save, Mike Greer Homes, Carters Tyre Service, MITO, Provident Insurance and many others.

Check Facebook for more information on Paddon Rallysport and here for the Ashley Forest event.

Kona EV photo by Jack Smith/Paddon Rallysport.