Hayden Paddon will still attend Rali Ceredigion next week, but he won't be driving as hoped
Photography by Red Bull
Words by Luke Barry
European Rally champion Hayden Paddon had planned a return to the series at next week’s Rali Ceredigion, but the deal could not be completed.
He had been set to drive a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 for Irish outfit C&M Motorsport alongside 2022 British Rally champion Osian Pryce.
Paddon has been contesting the Australian Rally Championship in 2025 – which he currently leads – but has made guest appearances in Europe too.
He was fighting for a podium at Ireland’s Donegal International Rally (with C&M) before a soft roll, and then finished second at Belgium’s Ypres Rally a week later.
Paddon would have been an obvious contender for victory at Rali Ceredigion, as he won the event convincingly last year to claim his second of two ERC titles in the process.
He was also victorious back in 2022 when the Welsh event wasn’t part of the European championship.
Paddon has been a wizard on the Welsh Tarmac in years gone by
The 38-year-old will still attend the event as his flights had been booked, but instead will be helping out the team instead of driving.
“I love that rally – we’ve done it a couple of times and had some good success there,” Paddon told DirtFish.
“Basically, some people wanted to make it happen and together with the team that we’re looking to run with, it was all looking pretty promising. It was pretty much all happening, but unfortunately it just fell over at the last minute, basically due to funding. So, just a sign of the times at the moment.”
Instead, the fight for victory is expected to be between ERC title contenders Miko Marczyk, Andrea Mabellini and Jon Armstrong, as well as leading British championship contenders such as William Creighton and Romet Jürgenson.
“I don’t make a great spectator!” Paddon added. “But in saying that, it’s just good to be over in Europe again – meeting with people and talking. Obviously we’re working on a few things for the future, so it’s good to just put ourselves in front of people and keep those discussions going.”
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: ERC, ERC 2025, Hayden Paddon, Rali Ceredigion, Rali Ceredigion 2025
Publish Date August 25, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/08/2JSwZ6Lg-SI202409010680-780x520.jpg August 25, 2025
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