The Defender Rally Series takes shape in 2024 with championships in the UK and Europe

• The Defender-based Rally Championship is open for applications for a third season in close collaboration with off-road specialists Bowler.
• The British Championship comprises seven practice and competition rounds, with gravel and back rallies in Scotland, England and Wales.
• The 2024 rally specification is based on the factory version of the Defender and helps it progress to international events
• Beginners and experienced rally drivers compete in the well-made Defender 90s with the dedicated support of a team of experienced bowlers.
• Bowler handles all event logistics, allowing participants to simply turn up and drive, set model specifications ensure racing on a level playing field, and focus on driving skills.
• Registration for the 2024 season is now open, limited places available – visit www.bowlermotors.com For more information

Stockholm, Sweden – September 11, 2023: Defender enthusiasts have a chance to become motorsport heroes in the 2024 Defender Rally Series. Entries are now open for next season’s off-road championship, which brings experienced and inexperienced drivers together in an unforgettable rally event across exciting terrain. Defender offers this sporting adventure in close collaboration with renowned off-road specialist Bowler.

With seven different events starting across the UK in March 2024, the third season of the Defender Rally Series will give competitors the chance to test and improve their skills on a variety of surfaces – from dirt roads to exciting back rallies.

After two highly successful years, the Defender Rally Series has evolved to provide the perfect platform for participating teams to hone their skills, experience the thrill of competitive racing and prepare for the opportunities that Defender 90 offers in the UK and worldwide.

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Calum McKechnie, General Manager, Bowler Motors: “The Defender Rally Series continues to exceed expectations across the rallying world. The rugged and dynamic characteristics of the Defender 90s are built into Land Rover engineering. Combined with the Bowler’s DNA, it provides a world-class racing platform capable of winning at top-level events. New for 2024, it will expand the boundaries and A range of international options that will introduce participants to motorsport adventures that will last them a lifetime.”

The Bowler Defender is based on the production model Defender 90 and uses the same proven powertrain as the production model. The Defender has enjoyed unprecedented sales success since its launch in 2019. Earlier this year, JLR introduced a third shift at its manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia to increase production capacity to meet high demand.

Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender and Discovery: “The Defender Rally Series is the perfect demonstration of Defender and Bowler’s unique expertise-defining capabilities. Our unstoppable 4×4 is available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles and with multiple powertrains, including an efficient plug-in hybrid. They share the same Land Rover DNA and Bowler’s Defender Defender 90 Taking advantage of its dynamic nature, they create a rally-raid model that is fun to drive, guaranteeing exciting racing conditions for both new and experienced drivers.”

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Unique opportunities

Now drivers can secure a place and vehicle in the British Championship, with prices starting from £118,000. This charge includes a rally-ready Defender based on the latest-generation P300 SE production model. It delivers 300 hp, 400 Nm of torque and unstoppable off-road capability. Leveraging the bowler’s extensive experience, each Defender 90 is better equipped to tackle the most demanding terrain.

The state-of-the-art racing package is designed to comply with the strict FIA and Motorsport UK regulations and the fully supported factory package includes entry into seven of the most intense races in the British Rally Series. Customers have access to dedicated race technicians, senior race engineers and electrical experts, all of whom want to ensure the driver team is in the best condition to compete.

At each event, participants have access to an extensive support network including a dedicated spare parts department, mobile workshop and catering. Participants can benefit from training, technical support and mentoring that will ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.

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Dave Marsh, Head of Motorsport, Bowler Motors:“The Defender Rally Series is designed to take drivers on a journey and provide a basic rally experience by building the strength and depth of knowledge needed to compete at the highest level. Having completed several rounds in the UK and Europe, our drivers have proven that they compete in tough conditions. Now we are in the third phase of development. We’re raising the bar with the entry, where drivers are introduced to Rally Raid events and week-long endurance rallies that push the sport to its limits.”

Being part of a team in this way improves and improves the skills of both beginners and experienced drivers. Comprehensive support with multiple packages takes the stress out of attendees organizing their participation and includes everything from providing a compatible vehicle for each event to providing map readers.

For customers who are short on time, Bowler has full service options that take care of all aspects of racing life. The vehicle is handled by the bowler throughout the championship and is professionally stored, cleaned, inspected, serviced and repaired – if necessary between each round – and delivered ready to drive for each event. Given the remote location of many events, this option is very attractive to customers who can only focus on arriving and driving.

As all competitors use the same vehicle, equal competition is guaranteed where success is determined by the individual skills of each driver team. Places in the 2024 UK series are limited to 16 vehicles. Six spots have already been sold, so potential groups will have to act quickly to secure a vehicle. For more information, or to book a demonstration of a Defender Rally Series vehicle, contact: [email protected]

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Defender Bowler Spec

The Defender Rally Series vehicles are based on the latest production model, the Defender 90, for its rugged durability and unstoppable off-road capability. The Baller adds body reinforcements – including an FIA-approved roll cage – as well as a range of safety features. At the same time, the unnecessary interior is removed and the side windows are replaced with lightweight polycarbonate. Upgrades to lighting, suspension and cooling prepare the Defender for the demands of competition.

Calum McKechnie, General Manager, Bowler Motors: “The Defender is an incredibly workable platform. At Bowler, we stripped the interior and made a variety of changes to ensure compatibility for rally competition – everything from larger fuel tanks and improved lighting to extra cooling and bracing. But for 95 cents of the body, the powertrain and brakes were mostly Untouched, further proof of the Defender 90’s capabilities.”

As a natural progression for the bowler, chances are evaluated that all defenders will be given some inspired changes in its rally. The first product to come directly from the rally segment is the new 20-inch Challenge rims from Bowler, available online now.

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Bowler and JLR

Bowler Motors was established in 1985 and is based in Derbyshire, UK. With a long history of building off-road racing vehicles, Bowler is internationally renowned for its commitment to producing successful, high-performance models. Specializing in rally racing, Bowler has participated in iconic events such as the Tucker Rally, British Cross Country Championship and French Baja, showcasing its exceptional Tomcat, Wildcat and Nemesis models – all derived from the iconic Defender 90 and Defender 110 respectively.

Bowler Motors goes beyond manufacturing vehicles – they also offer exclusive racing events to their customers – a platform where participants can develop the basic driving skills and technical knowledge required to excel in international rally competitions. With the guidance of a bowler, enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill of off-road racing while honing their off-road skills.

Bowler Motors has worked closely with Land Rover since its inception, culminating in a formal brand partnership in 2012. This collaboration marked the start of the popular Defender Challenge Rally series which ran between 2014 and 2016. This joint effort demonstrated Bowler’s expertise and determination. As a leader in off-road competitions. In December 2019, Bowler Motors merged with JLR and became a subsidiary of the company. The merger provided Bowler with enhanced resources and opportunities for innovation, strengthening its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art, unstoppable off-road vehicles. Their products break new ground and carry the Land Rovers DNA to deliver performance and safety of course.

With a rich racing heritage and an exciting future ahead, Bowler continues to captivate enthusiasts and thrill seekers with its exceptionally tough racing vehicles. Their high-speed road experiences are uniquely facilitated by the latest generation Defender, which creates a more rigid and efficient foundation.