[3] 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.

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.