Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon will be teaming with TCR racer Jordan Michels for the final round of the South Island Endurance Series next month.
Michels contested the season opening one-hour championship race in the Team Williams Honda Civic TCR FK7. The Invercargill driver finished a commendable sixth overall and comfortably scored top honours in Class B.
Now, his next challenge will be alongside Paddon, a distinguished rally name in New Zealand.
Paddon revealed to Velocity News earlier in the year he was planning on running at least round of the South Island Endurance Series. Together, he and Michels will be driving a Hyundai i30N TCR currently run by Paddon’s own team in Cromwell.
The pair will only contest the final round at Levels Raceway in Timaru on October 17. There, the two will be hoping to qualify for the New Zealand Championship race at Highlands Motorsport Park.
“We are excited to announce we will be teaming up with young Jordan Michels for the endurance races coming up over the next couple of months with our Hyundai i30N TCR,” said Paddon.
“Jordan first approached us a few years ago for some career advice and we have been watching him closely ever since.
“We are very excited to work with Jordan as we try and help him as much as we can to develop his career, while I’m sure he can show me a thing or two about circuit racing. Our first round will be Levels on 17 October.”
Michels is expected to continue his double duties with Team Williams.
“Excited to finally announce I will teaming up with Kiwi Rally Legend Hayden Paddon and the awesome team at Paddon Rallysport as they make their debut into circuit racing at Levels Raceway, Timaru on the 17th of October,” said Michels.
“Hayden and I will share duties in the Hyundai New Zealand backed i30N TCR car in Class B for the final round of the South Island Endurance Series.
“All going well this will qualify us for the New Zealand Endurance Final at Highlands Motorsport Park in November where we will be pushing hard for class honors
“I can’t thank Hayden and the team enough for this awesome opportunity!”
Michels will be out in force this weekend for the second round of the South Island Endurance Series from Christchurch.