2010 NZ Silver Fern Rally

[Carlo]

The first International Entry registrations have been received for the 2010 NZ Silver Fern International Marathon Rally, one coming from across the Tasman and the other from Europe.

With still over a year till the event takes place, popular Australian’s Keith & Mary-Anne Callinan, who now regularly compete here, will be bringing back their impressive, crowd pleasing 1968 V8 Holden Monaro for its second appearance in a Silver Fern Marathon event.

For the last Silver Fern event in 2008, the Cullinan’s competed in a Ford Escort, running well in the top 10 until experiencing mechanical problems near the end. Previous to that in the 2006 event they had used their V8 Monaro.

Keith said “while the big V8 Monaro used plenty of rubber, especially on the longer stages of the marathon event, we have decided driving the big beast sideways, making a noise and pleasing the crowd is more our style”.

From their Holden dealership at Mackay on the North Queensland coast of Australia, the Callinan’s have used the Monaro all over the world in marathon events, including twice doing London to Sydney Rallies.

The first European entry comes from Austria and the MSC Gamma racing teams Porsche 911 SC, which will be driven by Willi Polesznig and Peter Stark.

Their Porsche was built new in 2006 to comply with the FIA Historic rules, and has competed in a number of gravel marathon events with Willi and Peter finishing 1st overall in the Shield of Africa in 1998, and 2nd overall in the Abu Dhabi Historic Rallye in 2007.

Relaxed about their “first time way down-under” Peter Stark told organisers they “plan to participate in rallyes all over the world in most exotic places.”

2010 event organising committee chairman Hamilton’s Gary Smith said “it is pleasing to see these early entries from overseas, we are now getting many inquiries from Europe, and hope they translate into entries to make the event truly International.”

Smith added “Our philosophy to modify the event to provide two rallies within the one event is giving the Historic (Classic) vehicles more incentive to come from Europe and compete against our counterparts down here on an equal footing.”

Starting in Christchurch, on November 14th 2010, the seven day event finishes in Queenstown, and will incorporate The NZ Silver Fern Historic Trophy and The NZ Silver Fern Challenge, effectively two major rallies within the one event. In addition a short Baby Fern event will run over the first three competition days.

[Carlo]

2010 NZ Silver Fern International Marathon Rally – Free Entry Offer
BE PART OF THE FREE ENTRY DRAW. (Wednesday 11th November 2009)
WATCH NZ-TV1 live at 8.20pm LOTTO BIG WEDNESDAY DRAW # 212
41 Registrations for the Free Entry draw were received before the closing time on the 31st October 2009. Numbers have been allocated to registrants, in the order their payment and paperwork was processed. Check out the numbered Registration List attached or visit http://www.silverfernrally.co.nz/rally2010/entrants.php
To make the draw as public as possible, and so that as many as possible of you entrants and supporters can be part of the draw, we have decided to utilise the live Television draw (#212) for NZ Lotto’s Big Wednesday on the 11th November 2009. For those internationals, spread all over the world, the Lotto Big Wednesday, randomly draws 6 numbered balls from a possible 45, live on National Television, with results promptly available for you so you can check if you number comes up at :- http://mylotto.co.nz/wps/wcm/myconne...nesdayResults/
The winner will be the first ball drawn, which numbers between 1 and 41 (we have 41 Entries). Should the first ball drawn be numbered 42 - 45, then the next ball drawn, if numbered between 1 and 41, will be the winner. The winner will receive their fees paid for an Early-Bird Entry equalling NZ$7500.00 and including all the Entrant benefits set out in the Preliminary Announcement.
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL AND FOR THOSE WHO CAN - BE WATCHING BIG WEDNESDAY

2010 SILVER FERN MARATHON RALLY FREE ENTRY DRAW REGISTRATIONS LIST
# DRIVER NO.1 DRIVER NO.2 TOWN / COUNTRY VEHICLE EVENT
1 Miles McElwain Brian Johnson Hamilton, N.Z. Toyota Corolla AE86 H
2 Brent Rawstron Ian McKee Christchurch, N.Z. Ford Escort RS1800 H
3 Keith Stewart T. B.A. Palmerston North, N.Z. Ford Escort RS1600 H
4 Roger McKay Carter Strang Winton, N.Z. Toyota Corolla AE86 GT H
5 Keith Callinan Mary Anne Callinan MacKay, Australia Holden Monaro HK H
6 Andrew Shrimpton Trevor Corbin Tauranga, N.Z. Ford Escort MKII C
7 Leigh Marston Josh Marston Christchurch, N.Z. Subaru Legacy C
8 Willi Polesznig Peter Stark Mauerbach, Austria Porsche 911 SC H
9 Tony Aimers Paul Kendrick Upper Hutt, N.Z. Fiat 131 Abarth H
10 Duncan McCrostie Dean McCrostie Kaitangata, N.Z. Nissan Bluebird Turbo C
11 Dermot Martin Barrie Gibb Christchurch, N.Z. Ford Fiesta C
12 Neil Allport T. B.A. Auckland, N.Z. T. B.A. H
13 Vincent Bristow Geff Ashfield East Sussex, U.K. Ford Escort RS2000 H
14 Donald McPherson T. B.A. Ohaupo, N.Z. Nissan Pulsar GTi C
15 Peter Egerton Jamie Edwards Hampshire, U.K. Ford Escort H
16 John Hills Mike Tuckey Lilli Pilli, Australia Ford Escort RS1600 H
17 David Hills Paul Bennit Oyster Bay, Australia Ford Escort RS1600 H
18 Shane Murland John Benton Paraparaumu, N.Z. T. B.A. C
19 Peter Smith Russ Langthorne East Yorkshire, U.K. Ford Escort MKII C
20 Jacob Scannell Nina Thompson Dorchester, U.K. Ford Escort MKII H
21 Nick Mason Adrian Grinstead Abbey, U.K. Ford Escort MKI H
22 Euan Fuge Donna Elder Feilding, N.Z. Mazda RX 3 H
23 Ian Crook Andrew Papax Ballarat, AUST. Rover SDI H
24 Adam Wilson T. B.A. Melbourne, Australia Toyota Celica H
25 Andy Walker T.B.A Auckland, N.Z. Ford Escort H
26 Harry Dodd Alun Cook Dorset, U.K. Porsche 911 RS H
27 Brian Stokes T.B.A Kaiapoi, N.Z. Ford Escort MKII C
28 Willie Rutherford T.B.A Akaroa, N.Z. Porsche 911 RS H
29 Brad Goldsbrough T.B.A Smithfield, Australia Datsun 1600 C
30 Merv Hatcher James Cowles Christchurch, N.Z. Mitsubishi Starion H
31 Stuart Eyre Stuart McFarlane Huntly, N.Z. Mazda RX3 H
32 Mark Pickering T.B.A Coal Point, Australia Datsun 1600 H
33 Jeff Judd T.B.A Christchurch, N.Z. Ford Escort RS1800 H
34 Alistair MacKay T.B.A Christchurch NZ- T. B.A. H
35 Craig Marshall Andrew Smith Auckland, N.Z. Peugeot 206 GTi C
36 John Keast T.B.A Invercargill, N.Z. Ford Escort RS H
37 Allan Dippie T.B.A Dunedin, N.Z. T.B.A C
38 John Giltrap T.B.A Christchurch, N.Z. Audi Quattro C
39 Mike Cameron Helen Cameron Stratford, N.Z. Mitsubishi Lancer H
40 Deane Buist T.B.A Christchurch, N.Z. Toyota Corolla C
41 Graeme Nation T.B.A Waiuku, N.Z. Ford Escort MKI C
End.

[sal]

I know this event will clash with the Roger Albert Clark historic rally in the UK in 2010 however what a challenge the Fern is! I can quite understand why drivers from around the World would want to give it a go.