Defender’s racing debut at the Dakar Rally is here.
Preparations for Defender’s first year of participation in the Dakar Rally are over and the historic and esteemed off-road brand has spent the past year developing its D7X-R race car, based on the current performance flagship of the Defender range, the OCTA. The legendary Dakar Rally is known as the “Everest” of rally-raid competition and the team, consisting of three cars and drivers Stéphane Peterhansel, Rokas Baciuška and Sara Price, began the two-week journey towards hopeful victory on January 3, facing over 3,000 racing miles.
YETI and watch manufacturer Bell & Ross have become partners in racing, and to further its journey into unique motorsports, the Defender D7X-R has now become part of video games Fortnite And Rocket League. Competing in the ‘Stock’ category of the race, the vehicle features the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and many of the same performance-focused features as the road-going Defender OCTA, but runs on advanced, sustainable fuel on a wider track with modified ride height, suspension and cooling.
As the race begins, anticipation builds as to whether the Defender team will make its debut at the legendary Dakar Rally victorious, and with a convincing vehicle and a star-studded team that includes some incredible and highly experienced drivers from the Dakar Rally itself, the D7X-R could well take victory in the historic Dakar Rally on its first outing in the legendary race.
Image source: JLR
