Saturday 4th January 2025

Land Rover confirms rally raid Defender entry

Three-year commitment to World Rally Raid Championship kicks off in 2026...

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Today’s the day, then: the 2025 Dakar rally will begin imminently with the prologue in Bisha. Over the next two weeks teams will battle it out over thousands of kilometres to claim glory in the toughest off-road race there is. For 2025, there will be a fleet of 20 Defenders acting as support cars on the Dakar, ahead of entering the event as a competitor car in ‘26. Today it’s been confirmed that that entry is part of a much wider competition commitment, with a factory team set to compete in every round of the FIA World Rally Raid Championship for three seasons from next year. 

Two Defenders will compete in a new ‘Stock’ category for the 2026, ‘27 and ‘28 running of the W2RC. The works team will field two cars in each of the five rounds, with a third running just at Dakar; while next year’s calendar isn’t yet available, the 2025 season includes Dakar, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the South African Safari Rally, the Portugal Rally Raid and the Rallye du Maroc, so expect a similar line up when the Defenders take part. It’s the toughest rallies for the toughest cars, basically, though with the Stock class understandably featuring production-based models - rather than the more extreme stuff like the Ultimate T1+-spec Dacia Sandrider.

It’s the new regulations for 2026 that Land Rover believes will suit the Defender 110: the Stock class being ‘the perfect platform to demonstrate the extreme capability and durability of Defender.’ Given the plethora of Defenders seen just about everywhere right now, it might be argued that its abilities don’t require any further demonstration, but rally cars of all shapes and sizes are always cool. Nice to see a works motorsport outfit still making an effort as 2030 looms, too. There’s no word yet on any further entrants for the Stock championship of the W2RC, though we have the whole of 2025 for those announcements. Toyota has a rich history in rally raid, for example. 

James Barclay, JLR Motorsport MD, said: “I’ve called Dakar the Everest of motorsport. Being here today to once again see the prologue stage kick-off reinforces the challenge we face. It will be an incredible adventure from both human and engineering perspectives, and the team are already working hard to develop Defender within the new ‘Stock’ FIA W2RC rules for 2026 that will make for such a competitive category. We along with the FIA, ASO and other manufacturers have helped shape these new regulations, which represent an exciting new chapter for the Dakar, W2RC and Rally Raid in general.” So more are to follow, it seems. As well as the role as support cars for 2025, modified Defenders will serve as recce vehicles for Dakar route planning over the next three years. Nothing if not committed to the cause, then. Expect to see more of the Stock-spec Defender over the next few months. 364 days to go… 

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• Works Defender team lined up for Dakar 2026
• Under the skin of the Dakar-spec Dacia Sandrider

[Turini]

Looking forward to seeing their entry and for the inevitable cross over into the Defender range. Race on Sunday, sell on Monday may not be accurate but good to see the brand develop a connection with appropriate motorsport.

[100SRV]

When JLR bought Bowler I hoped/expected that entry into FIA events was the next step. Odd that they closed the Derby Bowler works and are entering is appears as "JLR Motorsport".

[smilo996]

Seems like a sensible idea. Bolsters their off road credentials, will presumably provide good feedback and marketing opportunities, if they put in the necessary engineering effort.

[Clivey]

100SRV said:

When JLR bought Bowler I hoped/expected that entry into FIA events was the next step. Odd that they closed the Derby Bowler works and are entering is appears as "JLR Motorsport".

It's sad to see Bowler close down...they deserved better.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Clivey said:

100SRV said:

When JLR bought Bowler I hoped/expected that entry into FIA events was the next step. Odd that they closed the Derby Bowler works and are entering is appears as "JLR Motorsport".

It's sad to see Bowler close down...they deserved better.

Agreed. They could have been akin to what manthey is to Porsche.

[The Pistonsdead]

Wish them well.

[Biggles111]

Slightly off topic but I happened to be in Bisha today and had to stop for the Dakar, made for an interesting day at work!

[Mikebentley]

I hope they do well.

[Fetchez la vache]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

Clivey said:

100SRV said:

When JLR bought Bowler I hoped/expected that entry into FIA events was the next step. Odd that they closed the Derby Bowler works and are entering is appears as "JLR Motorsport".

It's sad to see Bowler close down...they deserved better.

Agreed. They could have been akin to what manthey is to Porsche.

Even using the Bowler name rather than Octa for their extreme off-roader thingy would have been better than letting them die. Letting them to be in charge of it would be even better.

I honestly don't know what JLR are doing with bowler, but the signs aren't good:

BowlerWebsite said:

From 18th December 2024, this website will no longer support online sales. Moving forward, all Bowler commercial activities will be managed through the JLR Classic website.