- TRĕK 2023 is an adventure and skill-based competition that asks participants to compete within the ‘embrace the impossible’ ethos and tap into the all-terrain capability of the Defender brand
- The competition TRĕK 2023 vehicle is based on the Defender 130, featuring seating for eight, robust interiors, expanded cargo capacity and outfitted with custom gear
- TRĕK 2023 references storied competitions for which the Defender brand is famous, and is comprised of qualifying trials and expanded finals, designed for Defender retailer staff to showcase their abilities in off-road driving, navigation, Defender knowledge, and team collaboration
- Over 400 retail employees faced off in head-to-head team and group challenges in the preliminary trials with the spacious and capable Defender 130, at an adventure-based off-road facility near Austin, Texas
- The overall winning team from each wave of competition will attend the TRĕK 2023 Finals, taking place November 8-10
Mahwah, NJ – 20 October 2023 – Defender, a brand renowned for embracing the impossible, is proud to announce TRĕK 2023, an adventure and skill-based competition, that asks participants to embark on an epic challenge designed to demonstrate the all-terrain capability of Defender vehicles. A total of 109 US and Canadian retailer teams, comprised of four members, utilized their purpose-built Defender vehicles in two days of head-to-head and group challenges in the preliminary trials this week. Facilitated by the rugged Defender 130, TRĕK is designed to challenge the skills of Defender retail staff in off-road driving, navigation, and team collaboration. These custom-built Defender 130 vehicles enabled the participants to showcase their skills and learn new ones, across each day of the challenge.
To stage this epic competition, custom-built Defender 130 vehicles were specially equipped with accessories engineered for off-road adventure. The TRĕK 2023 vehicle was, for the first time, based on the Defender 130, with seating for eight, robust interiors, and expanded cargo capacity. Based on the 2023 MY Defender 130 P400 SE, the Defender Trek vehicles featured a bespoke matte black wrap with the TRĕK logos in carbon black on the doors and custom TRĕK interior and exterior badging. All-terrain equipment included off-road tires, Remote Control Electric Winch*, additional LED lighting, a hitch-mounted high-light jack, a suspension lift, roof-mounted Tread Pro traction boards, and more.
The ten retailer teams that won each of the qualifying sessions will return for the ultimate finale competition from November 8-10. This intense challenge will expand the competition across parts of Texas, with the overall winner being crowned at Destination Defender, an outdoor weekend festival celebrating the Defender adventure lifestyle and growing enthusiast community. Destination Defender takes place on 2,400 epic acres at Iron Horse Ranch in Somerville, Texas from November 10 -12.
The TRĕK competition allows our retailers to understand the ‘Embrace the Impossible’ ethos of the Defender Brand. Passing down knowledge gained from years of off-road experience to our retailers and, ultimately, our clients is something we cherish each year.
Charlotte Blank
US Chief Marketing Officer of Jaguar Land Rover North America
The original TRĕK competition was established in 1996 in the image of the iconic Camel Trophy as a U.S.-specific challenge for the retailer network to bolster their off-road expertise in one day of immersive off-roading experience. TRĕK returned in 2020 at 4xFAR in Palm Springs. Subsequent competitions took place at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and the Land Rover Experience Center in Manchester, VT.