Hayden Paddon says he has no intention to run the Paddon Rallysport Hyundai i30 N TCR in next year’s New Zealand TCR championship.
The Kiwi rally icon made headlines last year when he confirmed a tilt in the now-cancelled 2020 season.
However, the Highlands-based Paddon Rallysport outfit has put their Hyundai challenger up for sale this year. The team have re-centred their focus back on their rallying intentions, which includes a possible return to the World Rally Championship with Hyundai and an all-electric Kona rally car.
Paddon still managed to make a racing debut in the TCR earlier this year in both the South Island and New Zealand Endurance Championship.
It was then hoped he would be able to run in the inaugural New Zealand TCR Championship next year, which will run over three rounds in the South Island in conjunction with new Super Production Series.
However, Paddon has now revealed that will no longer be the case, and his rallying commitments have overtaken TCR as his primary priority.
He also ruled out the possibility of leasing the car to another driver.
“Unfortunately, we have too many commitments to drive or run the car,” Paddon said.
“The car is for sale and that is the only option we have at present to see the car on the [TCR NZ] grid.”
Meanwhile, the three Track Tec Audi TCRs and Choice Performance Kia are available to lease to potential drivers. But neither team has currently confirmed a driver roster.
After the opening round in Timaru, Teretonga Park will host the penultimate round on March 20-21. The season then draws to a close at Highlands Motorsport Park on April 23-24.
