President's Scholarship for Paddon

Defending NZ Gold Star rally champion Hayden Paddon has been awarded a special President’s Scholarship from The MotorSport NZ Scholarship Trust in recognition of his achievements to date and his potential on the international circuit.

Since its introduction in 2007, the President’s Scholarship has been awarded at the start of each year to drivers who have performed with distinction over the previous 12 months. This year’s recipients were Mark Tapper from Auckland and Earl Bamber of Wanganui.

“Hayden has shown remarkable consistency this season to put himself out in front for his second successive NZRC title. For that reason and in recognition of his international potential, we have taken the unprecedented step of awarding a third President’s Scholarship for the year,” said MotorSport NZ president Steven Kennedy.

Hayden, whose next target is winning the Asia-Pacific seat in Pirelli’s ‘Star Driver’ competition at Repco Rally Australia, said he was delighted to receive the scholarship.

“I think it’s great that MotorSport NZ provides continued specialist support for young competitors like myself and I’m looking forward to capitalising on that to improve in all aspects of the sport,” said Paddon.

All three scholarship recipients are alumni of the Elite Motorsport Academy and will now receive scholarship-funded assistance to help develop their careers.