Rally New Zealand gets first entrants

While the majority of FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia crews are completing their preparations for the upcoming Acropolis Rally in Greece later this month, one pairing in particular is already looking ahead to round seven in June.

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard today became the first driver and co-driver to submit their entry for Brother Rally New Zealand, which will be based in Auckland from 21-24 June.

The reigning Production Car world champions and native New Zealanders will contest the spectacular gravel event in an ASM Motorsport Skoda Fabia as they aim to continue their pursuit of the Super 2000 World Rally Championship title following their maiden category victory in Portugal in late March.

“I’ve been looking forward to a New Zealand WRC round for the past two years, as soon as we crossed the finish ramp as the top New Zealand crew for the 2010 edition of Rally New Zealand,” said the 25-year-old Paddon, who is from Geraldine on New Zealand’s South Island.

“It’s going to be great to have the Skoda here - it’s a fantastic car - and John and I are looking forward to enjoying a lot of support from Kiwi fans on the side of the rally route.”