Event Information — What It’s Really Like to Do the Silver Fern
Seven days, over 1,000 km of gravel stages, small-town hospitality and a paddock that feels like a travelling family. If you’re wondering whether the NZ Silver Fern Rally is for you, this page is for you.
- 7 DaysMarathon rally
- 1,054 kmSpecial stages (approx.)
- Rotorua-basedStart & finish in the geothermal heart
Is the Silver Fern Rally for You?
The Silver Fern isn’t a casual Sunday blast. It’s a proper marathon — but it’s also incredibly welcoming. If you see yourself in any of these, you’ll fit right in.
Historic Nuts & Gravel Purists
You’ve always wanted to stretch a proper period car on the roads it deserves: Escorts, AE86s, RX-series, E30s, 911s and more. You care about atmosphere as much as results.
Best fit: Historic Competition / Classic 4WD
Modern Club Racers
You’ve cut your teeth in club rallies, sprints or tarmac events and want a big step up without starting from scratch. Reliability, parts and budget all matter.
Best fit: Challenge Trophy (Modern 2WD)
First-Time Marathon Crews
You’re ready for the seven-day experience but don’t need outright pace to have a good time. You want a safety-conscious, value-for-money way into the sport.
Best fit: Silver Fern Time-Trial
A Day in the Life on Event
Every day is different, but the rhythm quickly feels familiar. Early starts, full focus, and plenty of laughs at the end of it.
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Wake, brief, warm up
Breakfast, check the car, review stages with your co-driver and service crew. Fill the tanks and head to the first time control.
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Morning stages
Several special stages on closed gravel roads, separated by touring sections through classic Kiwi scenery.
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Service & reset
Fuel, tyres, fluids, checks. Quick bite to eat, swap stories, go over any notes or changes. Then straight back into it.
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More stages, more smiles
Repeat the cycle: touring, stages, rhythm. You’ll be tired, but you’ll be grinning.
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Wash, Parc Fermé, reset
Community car-wash, Parc Fermé, any remaining maintenance and prep, then food and a debrief before doing it all again tomorrow.
Planning Your Entry
Treat the Silver Fern like any serious motorsport project: plan the car, the people and the budget early, and everything gets much easier.
1. Choose Your Class & Car
Work out where your car (or dream build) fits best, and what level of prep is realistic for you.
- Historic Competition — pre-1985, FIA / MSNZ CoD style builds.
- Challenge Trophy — modern 2WD rally cars.
- Classic 4WD — pre-1996 4WD icons.
- Time-Trial — road-registered precision driving.
Use the Classes page to compare options in detail.
2. Build Your People Around You
A good team is worth seconds every stage. Think about who you want in the car and in the service park.
- A co-driver you trust and can communicate with.
- A service crew (or shared crew) who know their way around a car.
- Friends & family who want to make a trip of it.
3. Budget & Time Off
The Silver Fern is big value for the mileage, but it’s still a major project.
- Entry fees and insurance (see official documents).
- Car preparation, tyres and consumables.
- Accommodation, fuel and food for you and your crew.
- Travel to and from Rotorua.
Exact fees and deadlines are listed in the official Event Documents.
4. Safety & Paperwork
Give yourself time to tick the compliance boxes properly — they’re there to look after you.
- Licences and authority cards as required.
- Roll cage, seats, belts and fire systems (where applicable).
- Personal safety gear (helmet, HANS, apparel).
- RallySafe wiring and installation.
The final word is always the published Event Regulations.
Practical Logistics
The roads might be remote, but getting yourself, your crew and your car to the event is more straightforward than you think.
Getting Yourself & Your Crew Here
Rotorua is the start and finish town for 2026, with major centres like Auckland and Wellington only a domestic flight away.
- Plan to arrive with enough time for documentation and scrutineering.
- Book flexible accommodation where possible — you’ll be chasing a travelling event.
- Share rental cars or motorhomes between crews to spread costs.
Exact dates and reporting times are confirmed in the event schedule and itinerary.
Bringing or Borrowing a Car
Some competitors bring their own cars from overseas; others build locally or share arrangements. There’s no one “right” approach.
- Talk to the team early if you’re considering shipping a car.
- Factor in time for compliance checks and any local requirements.
- Consider partnering with a local workshop or team for support if you’re flying in.
The organising team can point you towards people who’ve done it before.
What People Love About the Silver Fern
The numbers are impressive, but what people remember most are the feel-good moments that happen between time controls.
Small-Town New Zealand
“We turned up to a country school for lunch and the whole community was there — kids, grandparents, everyone. The car was covered in signatures by the time we left.”
The rally puts money and energy into rural towns, and they respond with genuine hospitality.
A Paddock That Helps Itself
“We broke something we didn’t have — another crew had the part and helped us fit it. That’s just how the event works.”
It’s competitive, but the underlying culture is very much “we’re all in this together”.
Bucket-List Driving
“I’ve rallied around the world and I still can’t believe the quality and variety of gravel roads in one week. It’s cost-per-corner heaven.”
Fast and flowing, tight and technical, sweeping coastal and alpine vistas — often in the same day.
Next Steps Towards the 2026 Event
If your brain is already idling at 3,000rpm thinking about 2026, here’s how to channel that energy into a concrete plan.
- Explore the classes: visit the Classes page to see where your car fits best and what prep is required.
- Skim the FAQs: the FAQ page answers common questions about route, safety and eligibility.
- Review official documents: check the latest regulations, itineraries and schedules on the official documents hub (Event Documents).
- Send an Expression of Interest: tell the team what you’re thinking — car, class, crew and any support you might need.
- Lock in your prep plan: work backwards from the event dates with your workshop and crew so you’re not rushing in the final weeks.
Ready to Talk About Bringing Your Car?
Whether you’re 90% committed or just rally-curious, the team is happy to talk through options, classes and logistics so you can make the right call.