19th – 26th November 2022 – SIlver Fern Rally Update

*NET-HERO Team survives 3 car changes in 5 hours 

 Broadcaster and ex F1 McLaren, Brabham, and Lotus man Tony Jardine (UK), will realise his long held ambition of competing in the world renowned New Zealand endurance special stage rally, the Silver Fern Rally, which started in Christchurch on 19th November. Running in the Bryce Biggs team Toyota Corolla with Kiwi Warwick Martin as co-driver, the Anglo-New Zealand team face a long, hard event with 46 fast special stages over seven days, the longest day being a whopping 188 competitive kilometres on Leg five across the glorious South Island of New Zealand. 

Known as the most challenging global historic endurance rally, the classic fast flowing stages though some of the world’s best scenery, attract competitors from around the world as the event has achieved cult status. Appropriately, the NZ Team Bryce Biggs Toyota AE86 Corolla will be carbon neutral via the NET-HERO carbon offset programme as it makes its 2,829 km high speed journey. Competitors face 3000 kms and seven days of hard rallying in the renowned marathon Silver Fern Rally, the Anglo New Zealand team of Tony Jardine (UK) and Warwick Martin (NZ) have faced their own battle even before the rally starts! 

With the original Bryce Biggs run 1975 Toyota Corolla failing to meet the NET-HERO carbon neutral team’s top technical checks, the decision was made to move to a 1975 historic Ford Escort. When on inspection this car proved to need too much work, none other than the 2022 New Zealand Historic Rally Champion, North Canterbury’s John Silcock, came to the rescue. He directed team boss Bryce to a different Toyota Corolla, this one owned by Jeff Judd, who himself is competing in the rally, not in his Toyota but in his 1977 Ford Escort with ex WRC star Belgian Stephane Prevot co driving. 

Tony Jardine, ex F1 and experienced media man whose dream it is to compete in the daunting Silver Fern Rally, was more than a little bit nervous by now; “ I couldn’t believe what was happening, I could see my long held ambition of driving some of the best rally roads in the world crumbling before my eyes! I was definitely palpitating with each change, three different cars in five hours is some shock- I change my mind less times in a day – thanks to Jeff Judd for agreeing to the hire!” 

Jardine and the team met the car for the first time on Thursday to test on private farm roads representative of rally conditions they will face, by now Jardine was less nervous! “The car handled well and seemed solid enough, but now we have a race against time to check all the major components and bring the car preparation up to meet the demands of a seven day marathon, all in 24 hours.” 

Following official technical checks and a driver’s briefing on Saturday at the Riccarton Race Course in Christchurch, the rally started on Sunday 20th November heading for seven special stages of 109 kms in length with a total distance for the first of seven legs of 370 kms. 

In all other ways the rally build up has been smooth and the New Zealand welcome extraordinarily warm, which has provided encouragement for the Anglo New Zealand team in Christchurch. Based at the Commodore Hotel, where owners Michael and Thomas Patterson have generously allowed the team to establish their HQ, special Pirelli rally tyres arrived from Australia and team kit from Alpinestars in Italy adding to the international effort. 

In a further show of support for the team, following the livery launch of the freshly arrived car in front of the Commodore Hotel, media, sponsors and rally organisers attended a welcome lunch arranged by Michael Patterson. 

Amongst the guests were Silver Fern Rally organisers, the Ultimate Rally Group and their General Manager, Victoria Martin. Former top F3 and F2 UK Race team owner and latterly world sailing promoter Murray Taylor, who hails from Christchurch, was also there having provided a lot of help for his long time racing mate Jardine. Both have been very supportive of the team effort. 

With the world’s fastest and longest historic special stage rally under way, set against the beautiful South Island backdrop and on its challenging roads, the goal for the NET-HERO carbon neutral team is to finish the event and enjoy every kilometre of the amazing route! 

Photos courtesy of  Clint Thambi at Mad Angles Photography, thanks to HERO-ERA Press room. All rights reserved.