Land Rover Defender Rally Series 2024

Defender has revealed the 2024 Defender Rally Series vehicle and driver line-up ahead of the opening round of this year's UK championship on Saturday 2 March. 

This year's Defender Rally Series UK will have the largest competitive field in the championship's history, with up to 16 driver and co-driver pairings contesting each event. It brings novice and experienced drivers together to compete in the UK's premier one-make off-road motorsport championship. Applications are already open - and in demand - for 2025.

This season's drivers have diverse motorsport backgrounds, from novices and track-day enthusiasts to experienced circuit and off-road racers. All of them will benefit from expert driver coaching and works support across the season. 

Each of the specially prepared Defender 90s will feature a unique take on the new 2024 championship livery, customised to suit each competitor with a statement colour behind a signature black pattern. 

The rally-ready Defenders campaigned in the series are closely related to P300 production models with added safety features, including race-specification seats, FIA-approved roll cage and fire extinguishers. They use the same powerful 300PS Ingenium petrol engine, responsive eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and advanced All-Wheel Drive system as showroom models, with all mechanical enhancements, rally support, competition entries and vehicle logistics taken care of by an expert team from Bowler.

The third annual Defender Rally Series features seven rounds and begins with a bespoke Defender event at Walters Arena in Wales (March 2-3). Every round is designed to challenge and thrill equally, allowing competitors to develop their skills in a close and competitive field - whether new to rallying or seasoned drivers looking to build and progress toward higher-level competitions. 

Competitors who will be living Defender's ‘embrace the impossible' ethos in the 2024 Defender Rally Series include former Boyzone member Shane Lynch, and Vanessa Ruck, an adventure motorcycle racer and online content creator. She finished fourth in the 2023 UK Championship with multiple podiums to her name and will also contest the European Baja Championship this year.

The Championship rounds
Round 1 - Walters Arena - 2-3 March
Round 2 - Rally Nuts Severn Valley Stages, Builth Wells - 12-13 April
Round 3 - Summer Scottish Hill Rally - 31 May-2 June
Round 4 - Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells - 12-13 July
Round 5 - Yorkshire Hill Rally - 13-15 September
Round 6 - Clare Forest Rally Ireland - 4-6 October
Round 7 - Scottish Borders Hill Rally - 15-17 November

As well as the Defender Rally Series UK, participants can embark on specially curated international events throughout 2024. The Defender Rally Series European Baja Championship comprises four events, the first in Wales followed by France, Spain and Iceland, with some intended for those in their second year of the Series with the required rally licence. The one-off Balkan Rally-Raid Experience individual race event takes place in September, with more than 500km of competitive driving. 

For pricing and information and to register for the 2025 season, visit bowlermotors.com.