John Kennard (co-driver)
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  New Zealander |
| Born | 11 February 1959 Christchurch, New Zealand |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 1985, 1987–1989, 1991, 1998, 2007–2017, 2019, 2022 |
| Teams | Pirelli Star Driver, Hyundai Motorsport, M-Sport |
| Rallies | 77 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 5 |
| Stage wins | 22 |
| First rally | 1985 1000 Lakes Rally |
| First win | 2016 Rally Argentina |
| Last win | 2016 Rally Argentina |
| Last rally | 2022 Rally New Zealand |
Personal Life
[edit]John Kennard (born 11 February 1959) is a rally co-driver born in Christchurch, New Zealand.[1]
In 2024 John lives between his homes in Marlborough, NZ and Finland with his wife Satu Lappalainen. They own and run New Zealand vineyard Vicarage Lane[2] producing Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir wines. [3]
Rally career
[edit]
Kennard's first taste of the WRC came at the 1985 1000 Lakes Rally where he co-drove in a Toyota Starlet for Brent Rawstron. Kennard is a well-known co-driver to numerous drivers, the most notable being Hayden Paddon at Hyundai motorsport. The pairing had their first win at Rally Argentina in 2016, bring New Zealand to the top step of the WRC podium.[4]
In March 2017 it was announced that Kennard would step down as Paddon's co-driver after Rally Finland and that a replacement for Kennard would be announced soon.[5] The replacement was confirmed the day after to be Kevin Abbring's co-driver Sebastian Marshall.[6]
Kennard suffered a hip injury prior to the 2017 Rally de Portugal, which meant Marshall had to substitute for Kennard for the rally. On 30 May, Kennard retired as co-driver earlier than what was planned, because of the injury.[7]
Kennard was voted Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year in 2016, succeeding Sophie MacKenzie.[8]
2023 saw John compete with Hayden Paddon in the 2023 European Rally Championship. The pair came out on top claiming their first European Rally Championship Title, and becoming the first non-european team to win the championship. John and Hayden also fought off local competition to win his 6th New Zealand Rally Championship Co-Drivers Title.
In 2024 John stepped down from his NZRC co-driving duties, allowing up and coming co-driver Jared Hudson to sit with driver Hayden Paddon in New Zealand, with John sitting with Hayden, and claiming a back-to-back European Rally Championship Title.[9]
Rally victories
[edit]WRC victories
[edit]| # | Event | Season | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  36° Rally Argentina
|
2016 | Hayden Paddon
|
Hyundai i20 WRC |
ERC victories
[edit]| # | Event | Season | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras
|
2023 | Hayden Paddon
|
Hyundai i20 Rally2 |
| 2 |  Rali Ceredigion
|
2024 | Hayden Paddon
|
Hyundai i20 Rally2 |
NZRC victories
[edit]Rally results
[edit]WRC results
[edit]ERC results
[edit]| Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Symtech Racing | Ford Fiesta S2000 | JÄN | LIE | CAN | AZO | COR | YPR
Ret |
ROM | ZLÍ | POL | CRO | SAN | VAL | 62nd | 5 |
| 2022 | Paddon Rallysport | Hyundai i20 N Rally2 | AZO1 | AZO2 | CAN | POL | LAT
6 |
ITA | CZE | ESP | 29th | 15 | ||||
| 2023 | BRC Racing Team | Hyundai i20 N Rally2 | PRT
1 |
CAN
2 |
POL
2 |
LAT
2 |
SWE
2 |
ITA
3 |
CZE
Ret |
HUN | 1st | 163 | ||||
| 2024 | BRC Racing Team | Hyundai i20 N Rally2 | HUN
4 |
CAN
6 |
SWE
3 |
EST
5 |
ITA
6 |
CZE
12 |
GBR
1 |
POL
3 |
1st | 145 |
References
[edit]- ^ "John Kennard – Hyundai Motorsport Official Site". Motorsport.hyundai.com. 11 February 1959. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- ^ "About Us » Marlborough Winery & Vineyard - Wine Tours & Tastings at Vicarage Lane Wines in New Zealand". Vicarage Lane Wines in New Zealand. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Vicarage Lane Wines". www.glengarrywines.co.nz. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Paddon claims maiden win". wrc.com. Córdoba, Argentina: World Rally Championship. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Hayden Paddon splits with long-time co-driver John Kennard". Newshub. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- ^ "Hayden Paddon confirms Brit Sebastian Marshall as replacement for outgoing co-driver John Kennard". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ "Kennard hands over to Marshall". wrc.com. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ Jones, Peter (22 November 2016). "Kennard picks up top sports award". The Marlborough Express. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- ^ "Hayden Paddon European Rally Championship Victory". Hyundai New Zealand. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
External links
[edit]