There appears a great deal of similarities between the Land Rover Defender Challenge and the Caterham Academy, if you will ignore the obvious racing environment differences. They're both (relatively) low cost entries into motorsport for novices with great factory support, close racing and a genuine sense of camaraderie between all competitors. Plus they both use iconic British cars, of course.
Like the Academy, on dirt
And as the season progresses so the events gradually become more challenging. The Academy goes from sprints to circuit races and now the Defender Challenge has moved from stage to a hill rally. Reserved only for 4WD cars and typically about twice as long as stage event, hill rallies are real races of attrition.
This video comes from Round 4 of the Defender Challenge at the Walters Arena in Swansea. And if Range Rovers lapping the Nordschleife really isn't your thing then watching this video is a must. The Defenders are caked in mud, splashing, jumping and sliding their way through the forest. They were fast too, one of the Challenge guys leading the diesel class despite giving away over 100hp to some other competitors.
So make yourself a cuppa, enjoy some proper off-road racing and begin devising a plan to be in next year's Challenge!