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Defender Rally has made motorsport history, taking victory in the 2026 Dakar Rally Stock class on their very first attempt, a rare achievement in an event known as the 'Everest of Motorsport'.
Across two relentless weeks in the Saudi Arabian desert, the all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R proved its strength, speed and sheer staying power. Drivers Rokas Baciuska and Oriol Vidal claimed the top spot with a total time of 58 hours, 09 minutes, 45 seconds, securing a dream debut for the entire Defender team.
But the celebrations didn't end there. The Defender team delivered a statement of intent by finishing first and second overall, with teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman taking a well-earned second place. Dakar icon Stephane Peterhansel, partnered with Mika Metge, added a strong fourth place to round out the team's impressive debut campaign.
Across the brutal 2 week challenge, the three Defender Rally crews repeatedly showcased their precision and durability, delivering a remarkable 1-2-3 finish in 10 out of 13 stages.
Together, the Defender D7X-R machines clocked over 24,000km of punishing terrain, proving beyond doubt that Defender's capability is more than just a headline; it's engineered into every bolt.
The winning D7X-R shares its roots with the production Defender OCTA, rolling off the same state-of-the-art assembly line before being refined for the W2RC's toughest conditions. Key features include:
In short: It's a Defender, but with its adventure dialled up to 'maximum'.
The atmosphere at the finish said it all. Drivers described the race as 'incredible', 'emotional', and a 'dream to win'. Mechanics and engineers worked through the nights preparing vehicles stage after stage, and their commitment paid off with a podium lockout that will be talked about for years.
For us at Barretts Land Rover in Canterbury, Defender's Dakar win feels especially significant. It's a rare moment when a global motorsport achievement connects directly to the vehicles we see and work with every day.
The engineering and durability showcased by the Defender D7X-R are drawn from the same foundations found across the Defender line-up, including the Defender OCTA already in our showroom. Seeing that capability validate on one of the toughest stages in the world reinforces just how considered and robust these vehicles truly are.
For our team, and for many of our customers, this win is a reminder of what makes Defender such an iconic name: it's resilience, its heritage, and its ability to meet challenges head-on. It's exciting to witness a moment where that legacy evolves once again.
