The Defender Rally Series, a competitive rally series that brings novice and experienced rally racers to the British race circuit, is growing more than ever in its third season. The series, which uses Defender 90s custom-built by Land Rover’s Bowler in-house motorsport division, includes everything a driver could need, from the vehicle to the services of Bowler’s training and mechanical team.
The racing series started in 2022, and has grown each year as it has become a part of the British rally scene. This year, the field expands to sixteen vehicles, each with a driver and co-driver; the teams are already fully committed, with all sixteen Defenders purchased. Each team will pay £118,000 (plus VAT) to join the series; the bulk of that cost is purchasing the race vehicle itself, which is the participant's to keep. Once you’ve been set up with your vehicle, the race series takes you through seven British rallies, with some optional adventures abroad.
For a new rally driver, the program is designed to give you the skills and experience needed to open the door to competing and upgrading to new levels of rally licenses. The teams are supported by Bowler, which is the most iconic Land Rover racing outfitter. Founded by Drew Bowler in 1985, the firm has competed in Dakar, Baja, the British Hill Rallies, and Land Rover Comp Safari events. The company went bankrupt in 2019, a few years after Drew Bowler passed away, and was purchased by JLR to create an in-house racing division.
The rally vehicles are based on factory Defender 90s, with the P300 powertrain featuring the 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor. Modifications include structural bracing, a full FIA-certified internal roll cage, strengthened subframes and body mounts, enhanced engine and transmission cooling, a stripped-out interior with race steering wheel, modified ABS and stability control programs for race use, polycarbonate side windows, a tweaked and shortened exterior bodywork, and extra windshield washer nozzles on the hood (to wash away all that hill rally mud!). There's even a custom panel on the dash that relocates the steering wheel control pads dislocated by the airbag-less OMP racing steering wheel.
Maintaining a late-model, rally-prepped Defender isn't exactly an easy proposition -- and that's before it gets damaged. Bowler offers peace of mind with a £15,000 maintenance package, which reduces your commitment to showing up, getting the keys, racing your Defender, and handing the keys back to the Bowler team before you go home. Bowler takes up the slack -- transporting your car to and from the shop where it's securely stored, doing safety inspections and prep, cleaning, minor labor, and consumables like air filters. They'll even refill your tank before the race (though they will bill you for the fuel).
The seven rally stages are held across the British Isles, with events in Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Most of the events are larger rallies, and the Defenders will run alongside general entrants and some other manufacturer-sponsored racing series. Presumably, participants can win points and standings in both the general competition and the Defenders-only competition.
This year adds a new international element to the event, with four events qualifying under a separate event series. (One, the just-happened Welsh event at Walters Arena in early March, is also part of the British calendar.) This allows participants to race in France, Spain, and Iceland, adding international cred to their racing record. There's also a one-off event in the Balkans, with over 500km of driving.
While the 2024 event is full, applications are now being taken for the 2025 event series. Just head on over to Bowler's website, and get your checkbook ready.
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