WORLD RALLY-RAID WIN
DEFENDER CROWNED 2026 FIA RALLY-RAID STOCK CHAMPIONS IN DEBUT
WORLD RALLY-RAID CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
In their final outing of the 2026 debut season, Defender Rally successfully completed Rallye du Maroc, showcasing the robustness of the Defender Dakar D7X-R, derived from the production Defender OCTA.
The endurance of both crews and cars was put to the test in Morocco. Long stages covering a total of 2,458km, consisting of rocky tracks, fast sand sections and Saharan dunes provided a fitting, iconic conclusion to Defenders' debut W2RC campaign.
As the flag came down, Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal were 2026 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) Stock Drivers’ and Co-Drivers' Champions. Defender Rally secured the 2026 FIA Rally-Raid Stock Manufacturers' Championship title, following a win in each W2RC race entered.
The 2026 campaign marks the first year of Defender Rally's three-year W2RC programme, with the team entering the Stock class to demonstrate the endurance, capability and durability of Defender in the world's most challenging off-road terrain.
The Defender D7X-R has been at the heart of the campaign, Defender Rally's competition car derived from the most powerful production Defender, OCTA. Defender D7X-R has been modified to meet the unique, brutal demands of W2RC terrain, adhering to the updated FIA Stock class regulations.
The Defender D7X-R combines the production vehicle's 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and eight-speed automotive transmission with critical competition-specific development. The car features bespoke suspension engineered for off-road stages, increased ground clearance and a wider track, together with enhanced cooling and underbody protection to withstand the prolonged demands of rally-raid. Its debut season was the ultimate proving ground for Defender’s capability, acting as an extensive test of what it can achieve, with the vehicle tackling long competitive stages and aggressive, varied terrain.
The team's efforts have been supported throughout the 2026 season by Official Partners Castrol, YETI, Bilstein and Bell & Ross, along with official suppliers Shackleton and Alpinestars.
Defender Rally will now focus attention on preparing for the 2027 World Rally-Raid Championship season, starting with the Dakar Rally on 1st January 2027.
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
A portfolio of world-class partners has joined Defender’s team in Dakar.
CASTROL
Castrol’s has developed products at the heart of numerous technological feats on land, in the air, sea and space. Their partnership with Defender Rally test a range of lubricants in extreme environments.
ALPINESTARS
Alpinestars is a world-leading manufacturer of high-performance apparel and technical footwear, creating advanced technical equipment for world racing’s top teams and athletes.
BILSTEIN
Innovative, exclusive, trusted and precisely tailored to the individual performance characteristics of each vehicle model. Each Bilstein product is engineered for maximum performance and durability.
SHACKLETON
Inspired by Sir Ernest Shackleton and supported by his descendants, Shackleton is a British exploration and supply company that exists to inspire, enable and equip adventurers to live courageously.