2024 NZ Silver Fern 7 Day Rally

[Maxdecel]

Starts Fri. 22nd - 1000km of some of the best gravel roads in the world, across the lovely South Island of New Zealand, with stunning scenery and make life time memories.
18 UK Crews making the journey - https://silverfernrally.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2...

[GravelBen]

Great rally and takes in some fantastic stages.

I've taken time off work to spectate/photograph parts of it in past years (and a mate of mine won the 2016 event) but not sure if I'll have time this year.

My 2016 photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQfpugV

[fttm]

Definately on the bucket list , as said some of the best flowing stages in the world .

[Maxdecel]

GravelBen said:

Great rally and takes in some fantastic stages.

I've taken time off work to spectate/photograph parts of it in past years (and a mate of mine won the 2016 event) but not sure if I'll have time this year.

My 2016 photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQfpugV

I was leaving it a while fully expecting you to post something Ben, in your backyard; you posted some pics before. IIRC? Didn't you mention a 29mile stage or maybe that was another event?

[GravelBen]

There are quite a few good rallies in this part of NZ!

Otago, Silver Fern, Catlins, Lawrence, Wyndham (those last 3 are one-day club rallies but all great roads - the Silver Fern is using a few of their regular stages), I think the 29 mile stage nearby that I mentioned was during the Southern Lights Rally.

The longest stage of this years Silver Fern is 54km (34 miles), but previous Silver Ferns have sometimes included stages over 100km (62 miles) long.

[Maxdecel]

That'll be why 18 crews from here have made the effort, quite a commitment.
62 miles Need a pit stop halfway for new rears on RWD, after seeing your pics I remember looking on Youtube and was impressed with the stages & the coverage.
Do you know if there's any live streaming ?

[GravelBen]

I'm not sure about live streaming, if they do their farcebook page will probably be the easiest place to find it: https://www.facebook.com/SilverFernRally

[sjabrown]

Proper bucket list stuff there. Maybe I'll look for a seat in 2026 or 2028.

[thepawbroon]

sjabrown said:

Proper bucket list stuff there. Maybe I'll look for a seat in 2026 or 2028.

You're one of the few top co-drivers from the North of Scotland that hasn't been

[Maxdecel]

James Ford circa 7½min lead despite a damaging off requiring new axle !
What did catch my attention was another Stratos Prefers endurance events, UK reg. Two Stratos'ssss/i ? for the 25 RAC ?

[GravelBen]

James Ford is obviously a quick driver - to be fair he wouldn't have that lead if others hadn't had problems as well, but that's rallying!

[GravelBen]

Pity they cancelled the Dansey's Pass stage today, its a very cool stretch of road.

Here is someone's video from that stage during Otago 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggxccU7uC00 - though due to council approval issues they ended the stage at the top of the pass and missed the hairy downhill run on the other side. For a bonus you can spot me on the left at 8:40

[thepawbroon]

Maxdecel said:

James Ford circa 7½min lead despite a damaging off requiring new axle !
What did catch my attention was another Stratos Prefers endurance events, UK reg. Two Stratos'ssss/i ? for the 25 RAC ?

I'm often interested in the source of wealth for these guys, obviously it's not a cheap pastime.

Phillip is incredibly enthusiastic about rallying and seems a really nice bloke, so this isn't a jealousy or anything - just curious. Anyway, his extended family are long-established Hong Kong entrepreneurs.

[GravelBen]

Heard through the grapevine someone had a big stack on Hunt Road (stage 47) today, stage red flagged to let ambulance through - hopefully no serious injuries!

Its a well known stage locally for big crashes over the years - there is a series of high speed blind crests, most of them are straight enough to be taken flat but a few have deceptive kinks and its easy to lost track of which are which.

[Maxdecel]

SS 47 Downgraded for reasons above, driver & Co driver recovering.
Few incidents one needing the Kankkunan excuse “The speed was right but the corner was wrong", even the Stratos has been over; superficial damage back out for the next leg.
James Ford consolidating the lead dropping just a few seconds.
Racer turned Rally driver.

[GravelBen]

Photo lifted from fb, looks like a solid shunt. No major injuries fortunately, wrist fracture and bruising.

Short final day today as they've dropped a couple of stages - possibly due to road conditions, it's been an exceptionally wet spring here and local councils are all scrambling to try and catch up with road repairs from flood damage etc.

ETA: Photos of the rolled Stratos on Kuri Bush here too, looks like they got it back running again today: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/179L3VknA2/

And whoopsied 911 on Circle Hill: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Deu99wW1A/

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 28th November 21:27

[Maxdecel]

GravelBen said:

Photo lifted from fb, looks like a solid shunt. No major injuries fortunately, wrist fracture and bruising.

Short final day today as they've dropped a couple of stages - possibly due to road conditions, it's been an exceptionally wet spring here and local councils are all scrambling to try and catch up with road repairs from flood damage etc.

ETA: Photos of the rolled Stratos on Kuri Bush here too, looks like they got it back running again today: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/179L3VknA2/

And whoopsied 911 on Circle Hill: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Deu99wW1A/

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 28th November 21:27

Ouch, bent the cage !
The Porker features in a video under repair in service, done well to take out panels for the Stratos.

[fttm]

Looks like an end over end , shame as so close to the finish. Glad to hear not too serious.