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Paddon and Hall qualify for Pirelli Star Driver

New Zealand’s two Asia Pacific Pirelli Star Driver entrants have been chosen after a challenging two days at the NAC Insurance International Rally of Whangarei.

Hayden Paddon and Kieran Hall earn the right to compete in the Pirelli Star Driver final for the Asia Pacific region being held in Australia this September.

Geraldine’s Paddon enjoyed a dream weekend in five different categories, including qualifying for the competition to determine who will be the Asia Pacific region’s ‘Star Driver’.

Paddon looks forward as he narrows his focus over the rest of the year. “Now our commitment is for the Pirelli Star Driver, although we’re always looking for further opportunities and mileage overseas,” he said. “We had five targets and five bulls’ eyes to hit [for the weekend], so can’t ask for anything better!”

Both Paddon and Hall receive €3,500 towards expenses to compete in the final which will be part of Repco Rally Australia.

For Hall, the qualifying place was a little bit out of left field, but his consistent and quick stage times gave him the well-earned result.

“It means a lot for us, it is international exposure and something we didn’t have in the budget,” said the Nelson driver. “It’s great to have had Brendan (Reeves) come over and just show us what sort of speed can be achieved. I’m looking forward to the challenge of Australia.”

Pirelli’s Asia Pacific motorsport manager Simon Poole says that there will be very stiff competition in Australia for the final shootout. “It’s going to be really interesting – there would not be any quicker drivers around the world really. For Hayden it will be his second attempt with it after Malaysia last year and he will again come up against Australian Eli Evans, who qualified in Queensland. Whereas Kieran Hall hasn’t even left the country before, but has showed that he is also quick.”

Paddon and Hall will be travelling to Repco Rally Australia, competing against up to 14 other drivers for the coveted position being held at the start of September.

Taking full advantage of Pirelli’s mulli-million Euro funding of the ‘Star Driver’ scheme is last year’s Asia Pacific winner Kiwi Mark Tapper. The 27-year-old South Aucklander is currently gearing up to contest his third event in one of the five identical yellow Mitsubishi Lancer EVO rally cars provided for the Pirelli competitors in the Acropolis Rally of Greece next weekend.
BY SARAH BYLES