Defender Rally’s rookie team dominates the 2026 Dakar Rally, sweeping the Stock class with a 1‑2‑3 finish. Learn more and see what’s next. Read now.
After two weeks of relentless racing, the Defender Rally squad made history at the 2026 Dakar Rally, securing the top three spots in the Stock category on their very first appearance.
Team drivers Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal clinched the overall win with a cumulative time of 58 hours 09 minutes 45 seconds. Their fellow team members filled the podium as well, taking second and third place in the same class.
14 Days, 24,000 km of Desert Mastery
Across 14 grueling days, the trio of Defender Dakar D7X‑R machines logged more than 24,000 kilometers while blasting through the harsh Saudi Arabian desert.
The Defender Dakar D7X‑R: Built for the Extreme
Derived directly from the commercial Defender OCTA, the race‑ready D7X‑R keeps the iconic D7X body shell and a robust 4.4‑litre twin‑turbo V8 engine. To survive the world’s toughest test, engineers refined several key areas:
- Wider track for improved stability
- Increased ground clearance
- Optimised suspension geometry for desert terrain
Dominance on the Stage
The durability of the Defender platform shone through as the crew achieved a remarkable 1‑2‑3 finish in 10 of the 13 stages.
Team principal Ian James summed up the achievement: “Honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of the entire crew. Winning the Dakar this way is fantastic, but the collaborative spirit and relentless effort of everyone involved is what truly stands out.”
Looking Ahead
Riding the wave of success from Dakar – the opening round of the 2026 World Rally‑Raid Championship (W2RC) – Defender Rally is already gearing up for the next challenge: the BP Ultimate Rally‑Raid in Portugal, scheduled for 17 – 22 March 2026.