Defender Joins the Dakar Rally Starting 2026

Defender will officially join the famous Dakar Rally in 2026 with a factory team. The plan is part of a three-year program, during which Defender will also compete in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Two Defender vehicles will take part in all five rounds of the W2RC starting next year, and a third vehicle will join them for the Dakar Rally, the championship's main event.

Defender Competing in the Stock Class

Instead of competing in the top-tier Ultimate class, which features specially designed prototype vehicles from brands like Toyota and Ford, Defender has chosen the Stock class. This category is for vehicles based on regular production models. The rules for the Stock class will be updated in 2026 to make it more challenging and exciting.

“We decided to compete in the Stock class to highlight the strength and reliability of the production Defender,” said Mark Cameron, Managing Director at Defender.

Development Already Underway

Defender has started developing its Dakar race car and plans to take part in a test competition later this year. “This will be an incredible journey, both for the people involved and the engineering behind it,” said James Barclay, JLR Motorsport Managing Director. “Our team is working hard to develop the Defender to meet the new Stock class rules set for 2026, which promise a highly competitive category.”

Barclay also shared that Defender, along with the FIA (the motorsport governing body), ASO (Dakar Rally organizers), and other manufacturers, helped design the new rules for this category. “This marks an exciting new era for the Dakar Rally, W2RC, and rally raid events overall,” he added.

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Defender Support Vehicles

In addition to its race cars, Defender will provide six specially modified vehicles to help Dakar Rally organizers plan the race routes for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 events.

This entry will showcase the production Defender’s durability in one of the world’s toughest motorsport events.

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