"It's going to be really exciting this year," Paddon said. "We've been working on getting the deal across the line for some time and it's really just been a matter of working through the details over the last few months.
"Everything was taken into consideration by Hyundai including my stage times in the S2000 Skoda and how I did in the drive in the Ford with M-Sport. Everything was factored in and Hyundai wanted to help develop young drivers and grow the team with them.
"It's incredibly fantastic and an amazing opportunity to be part of a team who are really keen to do well in world rallying. John and I have been given a brilliant chance and we're going to be working really hard to make the most of the opportunity and help develop the car over the year."
Paddon and Kennard getting a works gig wasn't a matter of being in the right place at the right time, it's a culmination of talent, hard graft, and about 15 years of having a vision and a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Not to mention the support from volunteers and sponsors who kept the faith in the pair over years.
"We now have to take this massive opportunity with both hands, maximise the potential learning and results from our seven events in the Hyundai i20 world rally car and build our career in the WRC," Paddon said.
"We have to pounce on this chance and we have to make the most of it and achieve the goals set for us. There will be a lot of pressure to perform but we're in an environment where all the resources we've had to worry about and been limited on in the past will be provided for us.
"It's certainly going to give us the best backing to achieve the results we know we're capable of.
"This is what we have all worked so hard for and it's going to be really exciting knowing the backing is there to be able to contest seven rounds."
The driver may be the man holding the steering wheel and in command and control of the vehicle as it's flung about, but without the co-driver letting him know what's around the next corner, or over the next hump, there would be trouble aplenty. Paddon has always been keen to acknowledge the role and help Kennard has been over the years and the co-driver is just as excited as his young cohort about their next big adventure.
"When I first got in the car with him [Paddon] in 2006 this was his dream - to get into a WRC car," Kennard said.
"With a huge amount of work from everyone, the dream has now become a reality.
"It's fantastic, we're now living the dream, but Hayden's had it in his mind before I got involved.
"I'd dealt with a lot of young guys before I met Hayden and straight away I was impressed with his maturity in the car.
"I was a little reticent to begin with but as soon as I jumped in the car with him, I knew not only was he very mature for his age but he had all the ability to go fast as well. Combining all this with his sponsorship acumen, he's the complete package.
"I mixed in WRC circles in management roles for a number of years a while ago but I never thought I'd be back there as a co-driver with a competitive driver and team and with a season-long programme."
Paddon will be now move to Frankfurt, Germany, close to Hyundai's Motorsport's base and will begin testing the new car in April.
Kennard will fly back and forth for testing and race weekends from his Blenheim base.
