EXCLUSIVE: Seamus Burke and Martin Brady Target Iconic Silver Fern Rally in New Zealan
Irish duo to tackle legendary 1,000 km North Island epic in iconic ‘American’ Ford Escort with help from WRC star Hayden Paddon and Kerry co-driver Noel Moloney
Seamus Burke and Martin Brady have confirmed an ambitious international outing for late 2026, setting their sights on the legendary Silver Fern Rally in New Zealand.
Running from November 27 to December 4, the iconic marathon event spans 1,054 kilometres of competitive special stages across New Zealand’s North Island.
Starting and finishing in Rotorua, the route traverses the East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and the Central Plateau, harking back to the legendary 1970s era where world rally icons such as Ari Vatanen and Walter Röhrl MADE motorsport history.
Co-driver Martin Brady confirmed the big news from the finish ramp of the Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR) in Michigan, detailing how their famous ‘American’ Ford Escort is already making the journey across the Pacific Ocean.
“Attention turns to getting ready for the NZ Silver Fern where Seamus and I will return to the much-loved ‘American’ Escort, the modified car in which we have had such success over the years,” Brady said. “The car is on the boat from Los Angeles now on the way to the North Island where it will go into the hands of Hayden Paddon and his PRG Team.”
The connection to former World Rally Championship event winner Paddon comes via Kerryman Noel Moloney, a regular on the New Zealand rallying scene who co-drives alongside top Kiwi competitors.
Brady and Paddon have already worked together too as he helped the Kiwi with pre-event Donegal preparations last year.
Moloney and Paddon have provided vital advice and logistical support to help plan the bucket-list trip for the US-based Irish crew.
Before leaving the United States, the Escort was fitted with a fresh KGP engine. Paddon Rallysport Group (PRG) will handle the final preparations alongside Burke’s head mechanic, Pascal, when the vessel docks in New Zealand.
Burke and Brady plan to travel early to undertake a thorough pre-event test before tackling the marathon seven-day schedule.
A strong contingent of Irish competitors will join Burke and Brady in New Zealand for the 2026 edition. Andrew Siddall and Gary McElhinney head to Rotorua in a 1972 Ford Escort RS1600, while Fintan McGrady and Dean Beckett line up in a 1975 Escort. Greg McCormack is also confirmed on the entry list, while the father-and-son duo of Allen Treacy and Eion Treacy will campaign a Toyota Corolla GT. Richard Hogg and Donna Elder complete the travelling Irish contingent in a 1979 Rover SD1.
LAKE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE RALLY.
Burke and Brady head to New Zealand following a, battle-hardened performance on the Lake Superior Performance Rally.
The team fought through a persistent misfire in fifth gear during Friday’s opening leg, making high-speed running tricky and creating severe fuel consumption concerns over long stage loops.
Despite the technical handicap, experience prevailed over the rough and unforgiving upper Michigan roads. Navigating through multiple passes of a notoriously treacherous power stage that claimed several championship contenders, Burke and Brady managed their pace to bring the car safely home to the finish ramp.
Just as newspapers and magazines are paid for, digital editorial content will also have to be paid for.
Please subscribe and help us keep this machine running!
It’s only €50 per year – subscribe now
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
