Historic Competition — The Heart of the Silver Fern
Period-correct classics, long closed-road stages, and a week of pure rally. Escorts, AE86s, Starlets, RX-series, E30s, 911s and more — the overall Silver Fern winner is crowned from this field.
What defines Historic?
- Classes A–D by capacity (true cc; overbore 1.5 mm; FI ×1.7; Rotary ×1.8).
- Period-correct preparation that preserves the character of the era.
- Seven days, hundreds of kilometres of special stages across New Zealand’s best gravel.
- Shared service parks and a friendly paddock culture focused on finishing the marathon.
Safety requirements (summary)
- Certified roll cage meeting current standards.
- FIA homologated seats & harnesses, within date.
- Fire-retardant suit, underwear/balaclava, gloves & boots.
- Handheld extinguisher, 2× safety triangles, first-aid kit.
- RallySafe wiring kit, tow rope, window breaker/belt cutter.
Full details will be published in the Event Regulations.
Why competitors love Historic
- Authentic machinery that rewards rhythm and bravery.
- Benchmark stages with legendary status in NZ rallying.
- Huge community support and value per kilometre.
- A true marathon — manage the car, the crew, and the week.
Who it’s for
- Owners of period-correct rally cars looking for a proper week-long test.
- Experienced club/national competitors chasing an international-scale challenge.
- Historic enthusiasts who value reliability and pace over a marathon distance.
A typical day
Early start → recaps & road book → morning special stages → service & lunch → afternoon stages → car clean/prep → debrief and plan for tomorrow.
Challenge Trophy (Modern 2WD)
Same epic route in modern 2WD — a cost-effective path into the Silver Fern.
Classic 4WD (Pre-1996)
Early Audi/Subaru/Mitsubishi/Toyota 4WD icons. FI cars require a 36 mm restrictor.
Silver Fern Time-Trial
Average-speed precision on closed roads with a 130 kph cap. Huge seat time.
Bring your classic — we’ll help with the rest.
Send your Expression of Interest and we’ll guide you on eligibility, safety gear and logistics.