Silver Fern Returns in 2026

It only takes place every two years, but when it does, the Silver Fern Rally New Zealand never fails to excite and stimulate the world of motorsport.  With its incredible gravel stages set against the wonderful New Zealand backdrop, some say this is the best historic endurance special stage rally in the world, running for seven days and 2000kms (of which nearly half are special stage kilometres) it has been described as ‘Rally Heaven’ and ‘The World’s Best Marathon Gravel Rally.’

Next year, it will run on 27 November-4 December and move from the South to the North Island where the World and Asia Pacific Championships were run. The rally start and finish city of Rotorua is set on its namesake crystal clear lake, renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. There are bubbling mud pools and the 30m-tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily.  Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty is renowned for its challenging and scenic rally roads, and the route will include the famous Motu Road Stage which was indelibly stamped into rally folklore by 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae as he obliterated the opposition in 1993 to go on to take his first ever World Rally Championship win.  McRae won the WRC NZ three times as motorsport celebrates 30 years since he took the world title.

Ultimate Rally Group Managing Director Peter Martin commented, “We enjoyed having Antipodean crews here together with top European teams in 2024 such as Tuthill Porsche, Viking Motorsport, Dansport and Wales Motorsport who added real depth to make it a such a high-quality international entry.  We have already received a healthy number of ‘Expressions of Interest,’ but with the announcement of the return to the North Island and historic rally stages from the WRC and Asia Pacific, we anticipate high interest from around the world.  I urge ‘would be’ entrants to visit our new Silver Fern Rally website and register their interest as soon as possible – November 2026 will come round quickly!”

A team from the UK has won the last two Silver Fern Rallies in a Ford Escort RS1800 but were pushed hard towards the end of the 2024 rally by the Escort of New Zealanders Robbie and Amy Stokes.  They were amongst an international entry that included the first visit by a rally Lancia Stratos to New Zealand shores.  Piloted by racer Philip Kadoorie with Ryan Champion in the hot seat, the duo rolled the wedge shaped 70s supercar before half distance, were repaired and rejoined the rally to finish an excellent 17th overall.