PADDON'S SUPER SKODAWRCBERNARD CARPINTERHAYDEN PADDON is moving up to the competitive S2000 rally class in 2012 after winning the 2011 Production World Rally championship.The 24-year-old Kiwi will drive a Skoda Fabia run by Spanish team ASM Motorsport."I am ecstatic about the move to Super 2000; it's a fantastic opportunity," Paddon said. "I was lucky enough to test the Skoda Fabia S2000 in Europe a couple of months ago, and it was an incredible car to drive.""The S2000 is a full-blown race car, and is basically a WAC car without the aero and turbo."One factor in Paddon's decision was the fact that Sebastien Ogier will also be driving a Skoda S2000 car in 2012, in preparation for VW's Polo entry the following year. ."Sebastien is one of the fastest drivers in the WAC at present, and having the chance to compete with him will be an honour and also a challenge," says Paddon."It will help us to lift to another level, and while he will be hard to beat, he certainly gives us a good target to aim for," the Kiwi added.Paddon and long-time co-driver John Kennard will contest seven of the eight S2000 rounds, including Rally New Zealand in June, with the goal of winning the championship.Paddon took four straight wins at Portugal, Argentina, Finland and Australia in 2011 and secured the PWRC title with two round remaining, finishing the year a massive 20 points ahead of his closest rivalThe ASM Motorsport team will be based in Barcelona during the year.
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HINCHCLIFFE GETS GOING

INDYCAR OWNER Michael Andretti and driver James Hinchcliffe were on the verge of signing a contract as AA went to press this week. Barring a wrong turn in talks, last year's Rookie of the Year will be the driver of the high-profile GoDaddy-sponsored car this season. The seat was vacated by Danica Patrick as she turned full-time to NASCAR. Two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon had signed to be her replacement on the morning of his fatal crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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LADA TO RETURN TO WTCC

THE LADA Sport Team has confirmed plans to return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship in 2012, in partnership with Russian car manufacturer AVTOVAZ. The last time LADA competed in the WTCC was in 2009, where it strove to a bestrace finish of sixth with Brit James Thompson at the wheel. The team currently plans to compete in two rounds of the 2012 series in the LADA Granta Sportcar, before contesting the series in full from 2013.

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INTERNATIONAL INVASION

NEW ZEALAND'S Toyota Racing Series has a record number of 15 overseas drivers signed up (or 2012. including West Australian Jordan Oon. The series kicks off at Teretonga Park on January 14-15. with drivers from 13 different countries on the grid.

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TEMPLEMAN THIRD DRIFT WINNER

HIGH-PROFILE off-road and circuit racer Daynom Templeman has underlined the competitive nature of this season's Cody's D1NZ National Drifting Championship by beating three-time defending Champion Gaz Whiter (Nissan S14) at the third round in Taupo on December 16-17.

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CONQUERING THE MOUNTAIN

BRETT HAYWARD HAS BEATEN ALMOST EVERY HILLCLIMB TRACK IN AUSTRALIA - THE WORLD IS NEXT

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