So it seems likely his fellow PWRC drivers will see Paddon's rear tail lights for the most of the rally if the Geraldine driver can keep it on the tarmac.
But as the Rally of Spain is a mix of tarmac and gravel and two entire days of it are on tarmac, it will be a challenge for Paddon and Kennard.
"It's a bit harder to keep up with the bigger classes on tarmac in a Group N car," he said.
"On gravel, you can get a bit closer due to the number of variables and grip levels. On tarmac, the grip is so high the world rally cars can use their superior power.
"There are the Super 2000 cars here as well that are a bit quicker than a Group N car but if we can get a bit closer to them that would be a good target."
Paddon and Kennard haven't driven in Rally Spain before but were spectators there last year and so have some sort of feeling for the place.
And Paddon hasn't been through any competitive tarmac stages since Rally France a year ago but was able to complete some testing on tarmac last week in Belgium.
He was happy to have had the chance to learn more about setting the car up for tarmac, including some trial and error to see what worked and what didn't and make some improvements for the Spanish rally.
"We've already recced the gravel stage which was fast with some narrow and technical places, and there are some big rocks that may be pulled out in places so we hope that doesn't turn into a problem.
"Then there are the tarmac roads that are basically just like a race track. Absolutely magic roads and I'm not too worried about them. We did a test the other day and our times were pretty competitive with the other PWRC guys.
"I think the tarmac suits my driving style because I always try to drive quite smooth on the gravel.
"I do have to adapt a little bit on the tarmac but, compared to some others who tend to throw the car around, the change for me won't be so much."
This is the only tarmac event on the PWRC calendar this year and Paddon won't quite be having it all his own way.
Patrik Flodin, Martin Semerad and Michal Kosciuszko, with some fast local drivers, are quick on tarmac and will have an eye on the trophy.
However, Paddon's pace was good on tarmac in France and Germany last year. He will be back in his European car after using his Kiwi one to clinch the world title in Australia.
"There's little difference between the cars because what we learnt in either one we made the same improvements in the other. We learnt a few things suspension-wise in Australia and so have bought them back over here," said Paddon.
His New Zealand car is a right-hand drive while the European version is left-hand drive, meaning the cockpits are a mirror image of each other.
At race speeds remembering which hand to use for the brake and other controls must be a bit of a challenge.
"We have gone to get in the wrong side a couple times," said Paddon with a chuckle. "But it's not too much of an issue these days and I feel more comfortable in a left-hand drive now after the number of rallies we've done."
As with all forms of motorsport these days, moving up a class or getting another drive isn't all about having talent - those days have gone.
It's about the size of your chequebook and, despite being a world champion, Paddon has to play the same game as everyone else and bring funding to anyone he's going to drive for.
"There's certainly a few options out there but we still have to find the budget. That's the biggest problem. If we can get the necessary funding there are good options with most of the teams, from world rally to super 2000.
"Ideally we want to be in S2000 and that's what we're aiming for.
"This time next week I'll be able to confirm what car we'll be in for Rally Great Britain in two weeks. We won't be doing it in the PWRC, we're trying to step up a class but not sure which one yet," said Paddon.
Paddon will tackle 18 special stages covering just over 406km inland of Salou, in six stages on each day from Friday to Sunday.
