The Silver Fern Rally of New Zealand, described as ‘pure rally gold’ by enthusiasts, and ‘rally heaven’ by global competitors attracted to the bi-annual seven day historic rally marathon, will be back in Christchurch to start the 3000 kms epic rally on November 22nd (22- 29th Nov 2024).
Sixty classic rally cars with crews from around the world will tackle 55 special stages around the glorious South Island of New Zealand from the start at Riccarton Raceway race in Christchurch, to fnish seven days later in Wanaka, Queenstown, after completing 1000 kms of Special Stages and 2000 kms of transit route roads. Not content with the gruelling distance and crews trying to preserve battered cars, long special stages on the final day will be a sting in the tail for tired drivers, the longest, Rocklands Road will total 54 kms.
The hectic marathon of speed and endurance will take no prisoners as this classic marathon demands the best prepared cars and crews if they are going to last the distance. Amongst the teams are a recently crowned back to back European Rally Champion Hayden Paddon (NZ) and a three time British Rally Champion Matt Edwards (UK), but not in roles as we know them! Matt will be co-driving for Bonamy Grimes instead of driving, whilst seven time NZ Rally Champion Hayden will be a mechanic for his father Chris Paddon who is competing in a 1974 Toyota.
Former World Champion co-driver (2003) Phil Mills (UK) when he co-drove Petter Solberg to world glory in the works Subaru team run by legendary engineering company Prodrive (currently celebrating their 40th anniversary). Phil will be a Team Director, running cars under his own banner, Viking Motorsport.
The undoubted star car of this rally is a 1972 Lancia HF Stratos, the Ferrari powered wedge shaped supercar was a multi Monte Carlo winner in period, but is still the most exciting machine to ever grace special stages and will be a treat for New Zealand rally fans.
Another out-of-place driver and winner of the Roger Albert Clark marathon rally (UK) in 2022, Ryan Champion, will co-drive for Phil Kadoorie in the car.
James Ford (UK) will return to defend his winners title from 2022 with Scot Neil Shanks co-driving in his Viking Motorsport run Ford Escort, whilst Magnum Motorsport team boss Jef Judd (Christchurch, NZ) who was second with Belgian Stephane Prevot in 2022, and frst historic in 2010, will be battling the Europeans to try and be the first Kiwi to win the Silver Fern Rally overall since Derek Ayson and Gavin McDermott in 2016. Jeff will have some European support however with the ex WRC Belgian star co-driver Prevot alongside.
Amongst the 60 strong international entry are crews from the USA, Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, Spain, Belgium, Scotland, England and Wales, drawn by the closed, smooth but fast gravel roads over dramatic but remote territory. In fact, Welshman Meirion Evans will drive one of his own team Ford Escorts, having shipped several for customers from the UK. Meirion’s best result on the Silver Fern was 2nd in 2016 and first historic, whilst another contender for victory will be Roger Chilman Jnr in his Mk 2 Ford Escort having been runner up in 2018.
There will also be two Porsche 911s from Tuthill, the team have won both the Classic Safari and the Roger Albert Clark Rally, the other two global endurance rallies in the trilogy of historic rally marathons.
One of the oldest amateur crews amongst the list of stars, will be veterans Tony Jardine (72, UK) and Duncan Jordan (72, Perth/AUS/UK) who will be aiming to use all their experience to fnish this tough marathon in a 1984 Magnum Motorsport Toyota Corolla.
The rally has gone from a small group of enthusiasts recreating the glorious 70s period of rallying in a regional event, to becoming a renowned great of the historic rallying world, where competitors from all corners of the globe come to compete – with all the major logistics entailed of a such a huge event.
“There has been a lot of work by a great bunch of people, which wouldn’t be possible without such incredible support and help from regional and national authorities for which we are so very grateful,” commented URG’s Peter Martin. “The Silver Fern Rally remains one of the most prestigious endurance rallies in the world as the quality of the 2024 entry proves. With more national support rallies than ever before, and even a Christchurch city centre presentation of all the crews and cars in the build up to the event, this Silver Fern Rally promises to be the best yet.
Comments