Thirty-one rally drivers and co-drivers from across the country have received support from the Paddon Rally Foundation following the foundation’s first round of applications.
Established by star Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon early in 2016, the Paddon Rally Foundation aims to assist New Zealand rallying at all levels over many years. The foundation, with its governing board of six including Paddon as the chairman, fulfils Paddon’s desire to give back to the sport that has given him the opportunities he needed to create a career as a professional rally driver.
When applications for the first round of funding and product support opened in November last year, competitors were quick to respond with over 80 applicants by the 30 January deadline.
Just over $30,000 worth of cash, fuel vouchers thanks to Z Energy, race gear from Chicane Racewear and rally entries from the Marathon Car Club and the Eastern Southland Car Club were allocated to 26 successful applicants who ranged from Marlborough Car Club member 12-year-old Brody Cattermole to 58-year-old Michelle Harris, a member of the Eastern Southland Car Club.
Paddon says: “It’s great to see such a positive response to the first instalment of the foundation. While year one is the introduction year as we build the base of funding and sponsors, for us to be able to assist 26 drivers and co-drivers on our first year of operation, I think is a good first step. The foundation will only grow over the coming years to help more people
“The vision of the foundation is to encourage new competitors and generally grow the sport of rallying in New Zealand from grassroots level to national/international level,” says Paddon. “The Foundation is more than just the financial support; each successful applicant also has access to us and the board for advice and help.”
The Foundation’s board comprises Paddon, his father Chris Paddon, directors of Paddon’s management company Hayden Paddon RallySport Global Limited, Peter Swaney and Peter Anderson, the Foundation’s solicitor Simon Dorman; and long-time co-driver John Kennard.
The successful applicants are:
- Brody Cattermole, 12 years old, Marlborough Car Club
- Leighton Spurdle, 29 years old, Hamilton Car Club
- Jonothan Taylor, 40 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Darren Galbraith, 38 years old, Eastern Southland Car Club
- Christopher McLean, 21 years old, Autosport Car Club
- James West, 16 years old, Bay of Plenty Car Club
- Justin Harwood, 40 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Max Tregilgas, 20 years old, Bay of Plenty Car Club
- Jonathan Shapley, 31 years old, Bay of Plenty Car Club
- Michael McLean, 23 years old, Dannevirke Car Club
- Dave Loudon, 56 years old, Eastern Southland Car Club
- Keith Anderson, 28 years old, Canterbury Car Club
- Jared Hudson, 13 years old, Eastern Southland Car Club
- Samantha Gray, 22 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Richie Chadwick, 28 years old, Otago Car Club
- Matthew Jenson, 40 years old, South Auckland Car Club
- Rhys Gardner, 34 years old, Eastern Southland Car Club
- Nathan Tough, 40 years old, Hawkes Bay Car Club
- Scott Rutherford, 22 years old, Hibiscus Coast Car Club
- Dan Reichenbach, 43 years old, Pukehohe Car Club
- Amy Hudson, 16 years old, Eastern Southland Car Club
- Taylor Judd, 24 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Kelly James, 25 years old, Hibiscus Coast Car Club
- Blake Jones, 29 years old, Dannevirke Car Club
- Christopher Gracie, 26 years old, Hibiscus Car Club
- Ari Pettigrew, 17 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Michelle Harris, 58 years old, Eastern Southland Car Club
- Brad Harris, 32 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Sarah Brennan, 25 years old, Autosport Car Club
- Jack Williamson, 24 years old, Hamilton Car Club
- Sloan Cox, 25 years old, Rotorua Car Club
“The enthusiasm and passion within New Zealand motorsport is clear to see from the level of applicants,” adds Paddon. “We are grateful for the fantastic support the foundation is receiving from investors behind the scenes and the commercial support of Z Energy and Chicane Racewear. The Eastern Southland Car Club and Marathon Rally Car Club are also valued supporters of the foundation.”
In line with their goals of helping rally competitors at all levels, Paddon Rally Foundation specified three categories for applicants for the first distribution round this year:
- Novice/club – no age limits, drivers and co-drivers competing any level of club motorsport/rallying
- Rally – all levels of club/national rallying, no limits on age or experience
- National and international – drivers and co-drivers, under the age of 30, competing nationally in the New Zealand Rally Championship or internationally
A new category for car clubs to also seek support from the Foundation is planned for later in 2017.
More information about the Paddon Rally Foundation and the next round for applications can be found on Paddon’s recently-updated website https://haydenpaddon.com/paddon-rally-foundation.
