JLR Korea has announced that the Defender has unveiled the 2024 Defender Rally Series and its driver lineup, kickstarting the UK championship’s opening round on February 2nd (local UK time).
The 2024 UK Defender Rally Series will feature 16 driver teams competing in what is expected to be the most intense competition in the championship’s history. In this year’s third edition of the British Premier One Make Off-Road Motorsport Championship, not only professional drivers but also amateurs with no racing experience can participate. Registration for the 2025 series is already underway with great popularity.
This season, drivers of varying motorsport experience, from beginners to track day enthusiasts and seasoned circuit and off-road racers, have joined the ranks. Throughout the season, they will receive professional driver coaching and support.
The all-new Defender 90, specially prepared for the drivers, is designed to reflect the 2024 championship livery. The rally cars customized for each driver feature statement colors and signature black patterns to enhance their presence on the track.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender and Discovery, stated, “The Defender Rally Series is a platform showcasing the capabilities of the Defender, a high-performance all-terrain vehicle, in the most severe environments. Participants will embark on the ultimate challenge to test the vehicle’s durability and their crew’s abilities with minimal rally preparation gear on board the all-new Defender 90.” He expressed pride that the series, inspired by the adventurous spirit embedded in the brand DNA, has established a pioneering position in the off-road championship as it continues to grow.
The rally-acclaimed Defenders participating in the series are built on the P300 model and have been equipped with race-appropriate seats, an FIA-standard roll cage, fire extinguishers, and other safety features. Just like the commercially available all-new Defender 90 model, they boast a powerful 300 horsepower Ingenium gasoline engine, an exceptionally responsive 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, and a state-of-the-art all-wheel drive system. The overall mechanical enhancements, rally support, event participation, and vehicle transportation are managed by the expert team at Bowler.
This Defender Rally Series consists of seven rounds, launching with a uniquely Defender event at the Walters Arena in Wales. Whether participants are first-time rally entrants or seasoned drivers looking to hone their skills for higher-level competitions, all rounds are designed to provide both challenges and thrills, allowing them to develop their skills in a competitive environment.
Colm McKinney, General Manager of Bowler Motors, remarked, “The 2024 Defender Rally Series is the largest one to date, enabling participants to experience the Defender’s top performance in the UK’s most severe and fast-paced rally terrains. With the engineering integrity of the all-new Defender and the expert techniques and support from Bowler, we will offer the ultimate off-road racing package that allows drivers to focus solely on driving.”
In the 2024 Defender Rally Series, former Boyzone member Shane Lynch and adventure motorcycle racer and online content creator Vanessa Ruck will participate to embody the spirit of the Defender, which is about embracing the “impossible.” Vanessa Ruck secured multiple podium finishes in the 2023 UK Championship, eventually placing fourth overall and is set to participate in the European Baja Championship this year.
In addition to the UK Defender Rally Series, participants will have the opportunity to join specially organized international events throughout 2024. The European Baja Championship for the Defender Rally Series consists of four events, held sequentially in Wales, France, Spain, and Iceland, some of which require a rally license for participation. In September, a one-off Balkan Rally Raid Experience personal race will allow participants to compete over more than 500km.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr