Land Rover Unveils the 2024 Rally Series Lineup with Bespoke Defender 90
Land Rover has revealed the vehicles and drivers for the 2024 Defender Rally Series, which begins 2 March at Walters Arena in Wales. Featuring its largest field yet, with up to 16 driver and co-driver pairings per event, the series highlights Defender’s rugged capability in a one-make off-road motorsport championship.
The Rally-Ready Defender 90
At the heart of the series is the specially prepared Defender 90, a rally-focused evolution of the P300 production model. Equipped with the same powerful 300PS Ingenium petrol engine, an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, and advanced All-Wheel Drive system, the rally Defenders deliver showroom-level performance on extreme terrain. Safety features include FIA-approved roll cages, race-spec seats, and integrated fire extinguishers, ensuring top-tier protection for competitors.
Each vehicle is customised with a distinctive championship livery, blending a bold colour scheme with the signature black design, reflecting the individuality of the drivers. Bowler, a trusted name in off-road motorsport, handles all mechanical enhancements, logistics, and rally support, providing a seamless experience for participants.
A Growing Motorsport Legacy
With seven rounds on the 2024 calendar, the series combines challenging stages with professional coaching and expert support. Notable competitors include adventure racer Vanessa Ruck and former Boyzone member Shane Lynch, showcasing the championship’s appeal to drivers of all skill levels.
| 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 have the option to 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 license. The one‑off Balkan Rally‑Raid Experience individual race event takes place in September, with more than 500km of competitive driving.
Defender Rally Series vehicle specification (modifications from base)
Structural Body and Chassis:
- Monocoque bracing – minimises body movement and supports underbody protection
- Full FIA internal roll cage integrated with body
- Internal spare wheel mount
- Rally‑spec gearbox cross member
- Stiffened gearbox mounts
- Strengthened engine mounts
- Braced front and rear subframes
- Front suspension turret brace
- Rear turret brace
- Strengthened radiator mounts
- Adapted chassis and subframe mounts
Performance:
- Enhanced cooling to meet needs of competition use
- Increased transmission cooling capacity
- Bowler Sports exhaust
- Bowler 18‑inch motorsport wheels, strengthened
- All‑terrain BFGoodrich tyres
- Bespoke suspension design with new springs and bespoke Fox dampers
- Front upper wishbone revised to reflect new ride height geometry
- Race steering wheel
- High‑level air intake
Electrical/Systems:
- ECU system integration with race box
- ABS/DSC – rally control modifications
- Integrated wiring harness for new components
- New rally‑spec facia
- Navigator control unit for lights/washer/horn
- Special Bowler mode
Regulatory:
- High‑level rear marker lights (for Hill Rally Regulations)
- Polycarbonate door and rear windows
- Alpine Light replaced by aluminium panel
- Race sports seats with specific race seat mounts
- Five‑point race harness
- Integrated and hand‑held fire suppression
- Electrical cut‑off switches – internal and external
- Complete removal of all airbag systems
Design:
- Front bumper adapted to take new underbody protection
- Bowler front grille with increased air flow
- Rear roof spoiler with extended profile and integrated additional lighting
- Front and rear wing claddings to meet new underbody protection
- Wheelarch extensions utilising accessory fitment
- Door lowers – new claddings on shortened doors to enable underbody and sill protection
Rally Function:
- Additional bonnet‑mounted windscreen washers – to deal with rally levels of water splash
- Front driving lights for increased night driving illumination
- Rally‑spec mudflaps
- Full underbody protection system – 6mm aluminium reinforced design
- Column‑mounted gearshift paddle – unique to Bowler
- Rear door manual release mechanism
- GRP wheelarch liners – increased strength to meet rally requirements