Watch Motorsport reporter Shaun Summerfield's 6 News story
Hayden Paddon will drive a Skoda in the Super 2000 class in next year's World Rally Championship according to RadioLive.
The 24-year-old is aligning himself to the Volkswagen brand, which owns Skoda, and is preparing for a full entry into the WRC in 2013.
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard will contest the Super 2000 in 2012 in a Skoda Fabia with the support of new sponsors and a new Spanish team.
Paddon later announced the move officially at a press conference today.
New Zealand’s leading rally driver won the Production World Rally Championship in 2011.
''I am ecstatic about the move to Super 2000; it's a fantastic opportunity,'' he 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 racecar and is basically a WRC car without the aero and turbo.''
3 News