Thursday 31st October 2013

Bowler Defender Challenge launched

Bowler has created a rally series using stripped-out Defenders. Read on to find out more...

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Even without any info, ‘Defender Challenge’ is a damned cool name for a motorsport series. You want to spend the weekend racing in the Defender Challenge; it just sounds right.

Looks fun, no?

Today Land Rover has announced its sponsorship of Bowler’s new championship, beginning in 2014. Full details have been released of the car specification and series itinerary, which make for rather interesting reading.

The car is a development of the Land Rover from our original Bowler story. Based on a Defender 90 Hard Top, power from the 2.2-litre diesel is up from 120hp to 170hp. Bowler’s tweaks focus on the induction and the engine’s electronics; company founder Drew Bowler told us the 50hp gain was fairly easy, with the potential for extra potentially to come. Torque is 332lb ft, up from 266.

The 18-inch lightweight wheels are fitted with control Kuhmo tyres. A motorsport-spec suspension upgrade, comprising new springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bushes, is standard on every Defender Challenge car.

Cabin complies with all MSA and MSA off-road regs

The interior has also been overhauled for competition use. Bowler is keen for the Defender Challenge cars to compete outside of the designated events so it has been built to comply with all MSA and FIA off-road racing regs. To that end, there’s an MSA-approved cage and fire extinguisher, plus racing seats with six-point harnesses.

The car remains road legal though if you fancy driving to each event in proper grassroots style. Bowler will offer a service pack option, allowing for storage and transport of the Defender plus access to the Bowler mechanics.

With more customers coming to Bowler with little or no rally experience but wanting to compete, the Defender Challenge has been created to cater to their demands. The Challenge car and series will allow them a taste of competitive rallying, whilst also providing something new for customers coming from other series.

170hp could be just the start...

From speaking with Drew Bowler, it’s the proposed flexibility of the Defender Challenge that makes it so exciting. He’s aiming for a broad range of customers and abilities, between 15 and 20, to compete in the 2014 season.

The Defender Challenge is a seven-event championship, taking place within rallies across the UK. The season is scheduled to begin on March 2 at the Mid Wales Stages and run until November with the Scottish Hill Rally. For those feeling more adventurous, Bowler will use its extensive experience to prep the car the Dakar or any other rally raid event that takes your fancy.

Bowler has set aside a training day in February for drivers and co-drivers but plans to run more depending on experience. If you need more, Bowler will run more.

Defender Challenge will run across 7 events in 2014

Of course, this sort of package does come at a cost. The Defender Challenge car costs £50,000 plus VAT from Bowler (it wouldn’t really fit in with the Evoques at an LR dealer, would it?) and the competition costs vary. At present, the most expensive season package is £14,000, which covers everything down to providing helmet and overalls and the necessary race licence. For more experienced racers with equipment and other necessities, Bowler quotes a £10,000 season entry fee. Again, these may change dependent on customer requirements.

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? We’ll endeavour to keep you updated on the championship, and hopefully drive a Defender Challenge too. Watch this space...

[blearyeyedboy]

Beautiful, and if I had the resources I'd love to be one of those lucky 15-20 customers. But this makes me sad:

MattBird said:

(it wouldn’t really fit in with the Evoques at an LR dealer, would it?)

And he's right. Isn't it a crying shame? There's a time when mud plugging sporting greatness would have taken pride of place in a Land Rover showroom. Now it's some dirty and embarrassing secret that we need to hide out the back so Victoria Beckham wannabes don't get a little mud on their faux fur pashmina on the way to an Evoque...

[smiffy555]

Agree - it is a shame and LR are stopping making the thing.....

[drivin_me_nuts]

it's like opening the garage door and seeing your grandmother in her thong and bondage gear.

still, she's a goer and that's all that matters.

[sanctum]

If only I could legally sell organs I'd be in this like a shot!

But how on earth have they got a roll cage between the drivers right shoulder and the B-post?
And how can it meet regs when the driver has to stick his elbow out the window on every right turn?

I will watch with interest.

[skyrover]

The only vehicle that gives the brand credibility.

RIP land rover... once the Defender is gone you are dead to me (and many others)

[100SRV]

Nice.

It certainly took LR long enough to get back into motorsport - and now the base vehicle is in it's final year ;-(

Unfortunately motorsport and especially off-road motorsport is seen as a dirty secret in this country, partly I suspect because it audience isn't as captive as at a football game so it is more difficult to franchise who sells them pies and drinks ;-)

[GranCab]

skyrover said:

The only vehicle that gives the brand credibility.

RIP land rover... once the Defender is gone you are dead to me (and many others)

I suggest you put your rose-tinted spectacles back in their case and join the 21st century - pronto !

[MonkeySpanker]

skyrover said:

The only vehicle that gives the brand credibility.

RIP land rover... once the Defender is gone you are dead to me (and many others)

Seems like RIP will be a long way off.

In September, Land Rover sold 34,719 vehicles, up 13% with a particularly strong month from the Range Rover Evoque up 31% - a record September performance, and all-new Range Rover Sport which sold 5,193 vehicles in September. Positive performances were recorded in: the China Region up 30%, Asia Pacific up 29%, the UK up 12% and Europe up 8%. Sales in North America were down by 2% due to run out of the original Range Rover Sport, the new model is now being launched in the market.

Calendar year to date, Land Rover sold 255,174 vehicles up 12% with both the Freelander and Evoque delivering impressive performances up 24% and 14% respectively. Positive growth was seen in all major regions: Asia Pacific up 31%, the UK and China Region each up 13%, North America up 12%, Europe up 3% and other overseas markets up 18%.

[Andy ap]

I'm drooling...... would make the ideal commuter against the morons around here.

[skyrover]

MonkeySpanker said:

skyrover said:

The only vehicle that gives the brand credibility.

RIP land rover... once the Defender is gone you are dead to me (and many others)

Seems like RIP will be a long way off.

In September, Land Rover sold 34,719 vehicles, up 13% with a particularly strong month from the Range Rover Evoque up 31% - a record September performance, and all-new Range Rover Sport which sold 5,193 vehicles in September. Positive performances were recorded in: the China Region up 30%, Asia Pacific up 29%, the UK up 12% and Europe up 8%. Sales in North America were down by 2% due to run out of the original Range Rover Sport, the new model is now being launched in the market.

Calendar year to date, Land Rover sold 255,174 vehicles up 12% with both the Freelander and Evoque delivering impressive performances up 24% and 14% respectively. Positive growth was seen in all major regions: Asia Pacific up 31%, the UK and China Region each up 13%, North America up 12%, Europe up 3% and other overseas markets up 18%.

Indeed... build a mass market car and it will sell.

The Defender is a niche product, but the one which gives the band credibility and enables it to tie in it's "heritage" and "lineage" with it's other products.

Ask anyone from any corner of the planet what a land rover is/looks like and they will describe a Defender

[camel_landy]

Andy ap said:

I'm drooling...... would make the ideal commuter against the morons around here.

You want one of these babies for that...



http://www.bowlermotorsport.com/range/exr-s/



M

[MonkeySpanker]

skyrover said:

Indeed... build a mass market car and it will sell.

The Defender is a niche product, but the one which gives the band credibility and enables it to tie in it's "heritage" and "lineage" with it's other products.

Ask anyone from any corner of the planet what a land rover is/looks like and they will describe a Defender

I'm not disagreeing with the heritage/lineage, just a sad fact that sales will determine what vehicles will be built. There's also this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24...

If you'd have said Audi I'd say Quattro

[SteveSteveson]

skyrover said:

Indeed... build a mass market car and it will sell.

The Defender is a niche product, but the one which gives the band credibility and enables it to tie in it's "heritage" and "lineage" with it's other products.

Ask anyone from any corner of the planet what a land rover is/looks like and they will describe a Defender

Because to many people get misty eyed and ignore the fact that the rest of the range is still excellent off road without all the failings of the defender. Whilst the defender is a great car it is horrifically out dated.

Anyway, If I had £64k to spare, or even £32k and a friend with the same, I would be there like a shot. Sounds like a bargain to me, and it also sounds like once you are done you are not just left with a car that can only realistically be used either to enter the same races next year or sold to someone else who will like allot of one make/entry level motorsport.

[skyrover]

SteveSteveson said:

skyrover said:

Indeed... build a mass market car and it will sell.

The Defender is a niche product, but the one which gives the band credibility and enables it to tie in it's "heritage" and "lineage" with it's other products.

Ask anyone from any corner of the planet what a land rover is/looks like and they will describe a Defender

Because to many people get misty eyed and ignore the fact that the rest of the range is still excellent off road without all the failings of the defender. Whilst the defender is a great car it is horrifically out dated.

Outdated in what way? Fundamentally the premise is sound.

Simple ladder chassis.
Engine, gearbox and transfer box with permanent mechanical four wheel drive
Two solid axles
Modular, easily customizable construction. (want a pickup truck or soft top? unbolt the roof and sides)

It's "outdated simplicity" is the Defenders greatest strength.

One could argue that the ergonomics are poor and this is something I could agree with. Seating position, noise and cabin space/design could be improved.

A replacement vehicle must retain all of the current defender strengths while fixing it's flaws, otherwise it will not be worthy.

Edited by skyrover on Thursday 31st October 09:35

[AndyNetwork]

MonkeySpanker said:

I'm not disagreeing with the heritage/lineage, just a sad fact that sales will determine what vehicles will be built. There's also this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24...

Just another reason Britain should tell Europe where to go, and make it's own laws!

[BMW3s6]

skyrover said:

Outdated in what way? Fundamentally the premise is sound.

Simple ladder chassis.
Engine, gearbox and transfer box with permanent mechanical four wheel drive
Two solid axles
Modular, easily customizable construction. (want a pickup truck or soft top? unbolt the roof and sides)

It's "outdated simplicity" is the Defenders greatest strength.

One could argue that the ergonomics are poor and this is something I could agree with. Seating position, noise and cabin space/design could be improved.

A replacement vehicle must retain all of the current defender strengths while fixing it's flaws, otherwise it will not be worthy.

Edited by skyrover on Thursday 31st October 09:35

Yeah the Defender is truly the ultimate 4x4 workhorse. I absolutely love them to bits and no other vehicle on the market today can fill its shoes... Dent a door panel...no problem just unbolt it in 20minutes and replace it.....get the paint brush out and paint it...job done!

[keith2.2]

AndyNetwork said:

MonkeySpanker said:

I'm not disagreeing with the heritage/lineage, just a sad fact that sales will determine what vehicles will be built. There's also this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24...

Just another reason Britain should tell Europe where to go, and make it's own laws!

Surely this can't really be the case? A 2.5 Tonne SC V8 RR can meet emissions regs but the defender cannot in any way be made to meet them?

Crash regs, the fact it's a one-off chassis that is costly to produce because it isn't shared with another platform - I'd accept those as reasons, but not emissions. I am happy to be corrected, of course. The only thing I can think of is that the chassis limits what engines can be used, and the engines can't be brought up to standard?

I'd expect a future defender to be based on one of the existing JLR platforms as a starting point, and use existing JLR engines as well.

Edited by keith2.2 on Thursday 31st October 10:28

[skyrover]

keith2.2 said:

Surely this can't really be the case? A 2.5 Tonne SC V8 RR can meet emissions regs but the defender cannot in any way be made to meet them?

Crash regs, the fact it's a one-off chassis that is costly to produce because it isn't shared with another platform - I'd accept those as reasons, but not emissions. I am happy to be corrected, of course. The only thing I can think of is that the chassis limits what engines can be used, and the engines can't be brought up to standard?

I'd expect a future defender to be based on one of the existing JLR platforms as a starting point, and use existing JLR engines as well.

Edited by keith2.2 on Thursday 31st October 10:28

Indeed... we know the current wrangler (a very similar vehicle to the Defender) can be made to meet current crash and emission legislation.

Jeep recognizes the wrangler gives the brand credibility, so is willing to invest time and money in the platform.

[FWDRacer]

drivin_me_nuts said:

it's like opening the garage door and seeing your grandmother in her thong and bondage gear.

still, she's a goer and that's all that matters.

Clearly Defenders owners taste don't mimic the rest of polite society

[chris182]

If I was rich enough I would certainly be one of the customers for this, looks like it would be a right giggle.

The defenders demise is a sad thing but unfortunately Landrover will make what sells and that is luxury cars with aluminium monocoque shells, independent suspension, electronic leather everything and festooned with LEDs. The Japanese competition have also now rather outclassed the defender as reliable off-road workhorses so it probably is time for an update. I remain skeptical that the new model will offer the same qualities as the defender in a more ergonomic and reliable way but we shall see.