Defenders go on the offensive: Announcing arrival in Dakar to revive stock category

in the bivouac of BishaBritish company in the afternoon before the first stage of the Dakar fire began protect announced that it had arrived at dakar It will compete for the next three years, from 2026 to 2028. This is done in the stock category of production cars, previously known as T2. Why not do it in queen class, T1+? Answered questions from MD JLR Motorsport Managing Director James Barclay said: He was adamant that he has no interest in competing in a prototype race, as the Defender is already a car with Dakar DNA and the aim is to demonstrate the capabilities of a production car in the world’s toughest race.

“That’s a very good question. Frankly speaking, it’s not real that we’re introducing a T1`+ class. The Defender is the original off-road vehicle. This was the first four-wheel drive off-road vehicle ever. So it’s not like we have to participate in motorsport. That’s only if we can do it the right way. And the right way to go is to demonstrate the Defender’s impressive capabilities as a production car. “If you see a spaceframe vehicle that looks like a Defender, our opinion is that it’s not real.” Express.

From 2026, During the Defender’s three years, two cars will take part in five rounds of the FIA ​​World Rally Raid W2RC, with a third car taking part in the Dakar each year.

Changed regulations to allow more brands to participate

But everyone knows that when someone wins over a strong rival and achieves it, the feat is greater and more noteworthy. That’s the reason, Barclay emphasized the importance of more brands joining the category in the coming years. The idea is to revive this class and turn it into huge SUV competition, a type of car that has had a big market in recent years.

To do that, we first need to change the regulations that James believes are being left behind. Old for mass-produced cars and Defender has worked closely with the FIA ​​to create attractive rules For the brand and its current and future production vehicles.

“In 2026, the sporting and technical regulations of this important category will be updated, making it even more competitive and turning it into the perfect platform to demonstrate the Defender’s ultimate ability and durability,” the company said. .

“We wanted to take on the challenge of using a real car to demonstrate its capabilities. And to support this vision, ASO and FIA looked at the regulations and said, ‘Okay, we can improve that. I needed to say, ‘I need you.’ The basis for the regulation was A very old production car concept. And what we have done is work with the FIA ​​and ASO to adapt the regulations to the realities of modern production SUVs. We have T1, Ultimate, and SSV, but we don’t really have a true production category. Therefore, we believe that off-road racing has untapped potential. “Consumers will love the fact that the car they drive on the road is the car they see competing in the Dakar – a real car,” he added.

We have T1, Ultimate, and SSV, but we don’t really have a true production category. Therefore, we believe that off-road racing has untapped potential.

james barley

It remains to be seen which pilots are interested in joining this project, but they did not want to reveal it at this time as they are working on that aspect.

“I call the Dakar the Everest of motorsport, and being here today and seeing the beginning of the prologue stage once again reinforces the challenge we face. It will be an incredible adventure from both a human and engineering perspective. The team is already hard at work developing the Defender within the new FIA W2RC stock regulations for 2026.creating such a competitive category. “We have been working with the FIA, ASO and other manufacturers to help shape these new regulations. This represents an exciting new chapter for the Dakar, W2RC and Rally Raid as a whole.” Defend managing director Mark Cameron insisted.