The former world rally winner will compete in Ireland for the first time this month. He can't wait
Photography by Red Bull & D Harrigan Images
Words by David Evans, DirtFish Head of Media
For somebody who loves rallying as much as Haydon Paddon does, his Irish debut is probably overdue. Don’t worry, he’ll put that right when he lands into Letterkenny for the Donegal International Rally later this month.
The reigning European Rally Championship will drive the C&M Motorsport Hyundai i20 N Rally2 originally entered for Matt Edwards. When the Welshman stepped aside, C&M boss Marty McKenna called Paddon for the three-day event.
“It came as quite a surprise when I heard from Marty,” Paddon told DirtFish. “Basically, we had 24 hours to make it happen, and I’m really glad we could. Like you can imagine, I’ve heard plenty about rallying in Ireland and I’m excited to get over there and drive.
While he’s never competed in Ireland (although he did have a small holiday there 15 years ago), Paddon is no stranger to success on Tarmac in this part of the world, having won the ERC-qualifying Rali Ceredigion across the Irish Sea in Wales last year.
Paddon was a dominant force on the Welsh Tarmac of Ceredigion last year. He'll be chasing more of the same speed in Donegal
The New Zealander added: “I’ve heard lots about Donegal and I’ve watched some of the onboards, they look like really nice stages – maybe not quite as bumpy and narrow as some in Ireland. It’s going to be a great experience.
“I’ve definitely got full respect for the competition we’re going to be up against. At the end of the day, all we can do is just go do the best job we can, drive as fast as we can, and as Marty told us, enjoy it as well.”
Dave Moynihan will co-drive Paddon, with C&M only allowed to change one aspect of the entry for the Irish Tarmac Championship.
Paddon said: “Dave’s done the rally before and he’s got some good knowledge of the stages and the conditions, so that will certainly work in our benefit. We will have to learn each other quickly, but I’m sure we’ll do that. And probably the biggest part will be for me to try and understand the Irish slang! We’ll see what some of the words sound like, and see how quickly I can adapt. I might have to change some words on the go just to make it click.
“At the end of the day, we’re there to enjoy it and have, as the Irish say, a fair bit of craic.”
Paddon’s already had an eye on the weather which could hit classic stages such Knockalla and Atlantic Drive.
“I’m not a fan of wet Tarmac,” he smiled. “But it’s not looking bad, the word on the street is that it is looking to be a little bit more settled, so fingers crossed it stays the same. It’s going to be great to get out there.
“Donegal is probably the equivalent to our Rally Otago here in New Zealand in terms of what it means to the country for the sport. The feedback in the 12 hours since we announced it has been huge. So obviously the people there are pretty passionate about it and so am I.”
Paddon’s Donegal outing is particularly timely as he returns to the European asphalt for his Belgian rallying debut at the Ypres Rally a week later.
Words:David Evans
Tags: C&M Motorsport, Donegal International Rally, Donegal International Rally 2025, Hayden Paddon
Publish Date June 10, 2025 DirtFish
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