OREANDA-NEWS. Land Rover is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the 2014 Defender Challenge by Bowler, a one-make rally series operated by Bowler Motorsport and designed to act as a feeder series to the annual Dakar Rally and other global rally-raid competitions.

Continuing the strategic partnership announced in 2012 between Land Rover and Bowler Motorsport, the Defender Challenge will see competition-prepared Land Rover Defenders being used in a one-make, seven-round rally series taking place across the UK. The series will be regulated by the the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and each Defender Challenge car will be FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) compliant, enabling competitors to compete internationally.

The Defender Challenge will provide both experienced competitors and those with no prior competition experience, a platform to gain the experience required to compete in world-class rally-raid events. For those with no or little experience, the series will offer a complete solution for gaining a licence, training and development, and ultimately, competition experience.

The Defender Challenge car is a modified Defender 90 Hard Top utilising the factory-standard 2.2 litre diesel engine which has been uprated to 170bhp by Bowler Motorsport. All Defender Challenge cars will run with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox, controlled Kuhmo tyres and full MSA-approved roll cage and fire extinguisher system. Further aiding the accessibility of the series, all cars will remain road-legal and can be driven to events if required.

Additionally, the Defender Challenge will provide a training and test day in February, as well as the option to compete in desert events in North Africa and the Middle East.

Mark Cameron, Land Rover global brand experience director, said: “Land Rover is delighted to be supporting Bowler with the Defender Challenge in what is the next step in our long-term strategic partnership.

“The Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series will push the iconic Defender's breadth of capability beyond established boundaries - it is the ideal, accessible platform to provide customers with an entry-level rally series and for those who are considering entering world-stage rally-raids such as the Dakar.”

Drew Bowler, managing director, Bowler Motorsport, said: “Rally customers coming to Bowler have changed - they're not all experienced racers, but people looking for excitement and adventure, and an achievable path towards world-class events.

“We're delighted to be offering this path in partnership with Land Rover and the MSA, and believe the format offers a new way to experience different rally disciplines in the UK and overseas, and prepare entrants for the rigours and realities of Rally Raid. We've really enjoyed developing the Defender Challenge car - it'll be a really fun championship.

Xavier Gavory, head of competitors department, sporting coordinator for the ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), the governing body for the annual Dakar Rally, said: “One of the major obstacles for people from the UK wishing to enter the Dakar has always been obtaining the necessary competition experience and a race licence. With the Defender Challenge by Bowler, there is at last a turnkey solution to that problem.

“Thanks to Bowler's huge experience of competing on the Dakar and their widely recognised professionalism, we are confident we will be welcoming the first graduates of the Defender Challenge on our rally in the very near future.”

The Defender Challenge car will retail at £50,000 plus VAT and be supplied exclusively through Bowler Motorsport. Entry into the Defender Challenge will range between £10,000 and £14,000, depending on the package selected.