Thursday 14th August 2014

Land Rover Defender Challenge: Time For Tea?

Four rounds in and the rallies are serious now!

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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!

Watch it here.

 

[renaultgeek]

God I'd love to do that.

[aarondbs]

That does look like fun, watching the video I couldn't help but think that on some of those corners managing roll looked more important than mangaing grip. I'm sure that isn't the case but its what it looked like..

[skyrover]

Long live the defender

[oldtimer2]

Off roading where the usual Land Rover mantra of "drive as slow as possible and as fast as necessary" is turned on its head. Will be interesting to see how many more competitors are attracted to this next year.

[RESSE]

skyrover said:

Long live the defender

+ 1

Off to the classifieds...........................

[GreyGray]

Just.Just yes.

[anglophile]

WOT? No black paint and chrome alloy wheels? What could JLR be thinking?

[HaggisHunter91]

They may have lead the diesel class at one point, but we (Team GST) won it, with 7th overall. Was a very good event.

[sandys]

I can't see a page on costs and what's involved for entry?

[HaggisHunter91]

sandys said:

I can't see a page on costs and what's involved for entry?

I can remember reading about it a while ago, here's the link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

[soad]

renaultgeek said:

God I'd love to do that.

Indeed. I'd have a go in Bowler Nemesis too!

[Cotty]

renaultgeek said:

God I'd love to do that.

Looks like a lot of fun.