It might seem like the most unlikely racing car on the planet but rugged Land Rover Defenders are set to show their sporty side at a special rally series which kicks off this weekend.
To many the Solihull-made Defender – which is still modelled on the original Series One Land Rover launched in 1948 – might be more at home as a working vehicle on a Welsh hill farm or taking tourists on safari over the African savanna.
But this Sunday will see the first race of a new one-make rally series involving the familiar workhorse – the Defender Challenge by Bowler – as part of the Mid Wales Stages rally event in Newtown.
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The Defender Challenge represents a tie-up between Land Rover and racing and high performance all terrain vehicles specialist Bowler Motorsport and all competitors will race with Bowler-modified Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles.
The Bowler-prepared Defenders have been specially modified with a roll cage, racing seats, lightweight wheels and racing suspension. The vehicle’s engine has also been tuned to produce 175bhp.
As well as offering an unusual racing opportunity, the series also has a serious side by preparing would-be Dakar RallyRaid competitors for one of the most challenging driving endurance races in the world.
The series is made up of traditional forest stage rallies and off-road hill rallies and will see up to 15 souped-up Defenders tackling tough terrain at high speed.
The Defender Challenge is part of a wider Bowler Challenge – a ‘class’ within existing rally events with total entries of between 80 and 130 cars.
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The events vary in distance and duration, but all aim to give a team –comprising driver, navigator and service crew – an authentic national level motorsport experience.
The series, managed by Bowler Motorsport and supported by Land Rover, will consist of seven rounds of racing held across the 海角视频 in 2014.
Competitors will face a demanding blend of hill rallies and stage rallies spread across Wales, Somerset, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire and Dorset, before the final round takes place in Scotland in mid-November.
Drew Bowler, founder of Bowler Motorsport, said: “We’re really excited to get the championship underway and to begin the journey, which for some drivers, will lead towards Dakar.
“We’ve enjoyed developing the Defender, and are looking forward to racing at such a great venue with such a strong WRC history, and working with a great organisational team and motor club.”
This year’s mid-Wales stages racing will include a town centre start in Newtown, before racers progress over 55 miles incorporating Pikes Peak, Myherin, and Hafren before finishing back in Newtown’s Broad Street.