Defender will field a works team in the Dakar Rally from 2026 as part of a three-year programme that will the brand enter the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Two Defender entries will compete in all five rounds of the W2RC beginning next year. Additionally, a third car will compete in the Dakar Rally – the championship’s halo event.
- Dakar Stock class rules will be updated in 2026
- Modified Defenders will also be used to plan the Dakar route
Defender competing in Dakar Stock class
Rather than joining the premier Ultimate class that features prototype entries from brands like Toyota and Ford, Defender has opted to join the Stock class for production-based vehicles. Sporting and technical regulations in this class will be updated from 2026 in a bid to make it more competitive.
“We have chosen to compete in the ‘Stock’ category to showcase the toughness and dependability of the production Defender,” explained Defender managing director Mark Cameron.
Development for Defender’s new Dakar racer is already underway, and the brand revealed it will participate in a “competitive test event” towards the end of this year. “It will be an incredible adventure from both human and engineering perspectives, and the team are already working hard to develop Defender within the new ‘Stock’ FIA W2RC rules for 2026 that will make for such a competitive category,” added James Barclay, JLR Motorsport managing director.
“We, along with the FIA, ASO and other manufacturers, have helped shape these new regulations, which represent an exciting new chapter for the Dakar, W2RC and Rally Raid in general.”
Along with Defender’s works entry, a further six modified Defender recce vehicles will be used by Dakar Rally organisers to plan the routes for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
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