- Six teams set to take the start line as the Defender Challenge by Bowler series heads to Shropshire.
Whitley, 27th August 2014 ‑ Round 5 of the Defender Challenge by Bowler series takes place this weekend as part of the Woodpecker Rally in Shropshire.
Motorsport fans will see six teams compete for top honours, as the inaugural Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series will form an integral part of the Woodpecker Stages event for the first time.
Teams will be based at Ludlow Racecourse, where scrutineering will take place as well as the official start and finish of the race and awards presentations activity. The all gravel rally course will test the teams and their Bowler‑prepared Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles across 43 stage miles and some of the best forest stages in the country.
Heading into Round 5, father and son team Rob and Jonny Harford lead the Championship by just one point from Edd Cobley, who recorded his third victory of the season in the previous round at the Welsh Hill Rally.
Edd Cobley said: "With just three stages to go, it's exciting to be in contention for the Championship. It's been a fantastic debut series for the Defender Challenge and with a great sense of camaraderie between all the drivers; we're looking forward to another race weekend.
"Weather conditions made the previous round in Wales incredibly tough, but the Defender handled everything that was thrown its way and we were delighted to top the podium. I'm expecting another tough test at the Woodpecker Stages, but come rain or shine we will be ready to race and looking to top the podium again."
Race2Recovery also head to Shropshire in good spirits as they push for a fourth consecutive podium finish. The team is comprised of a number of people with disabilities and received backing from long‑term partner Land Rover to enable them to compete in the series.
Race2Recovery team member Ben Gott said: "We are continuing to grow as a team and are learning a lot from taking part in our first race series. It's great to see co‑driver Stephanie Boddez gaining more experience and confidence with every round. We're looking forward to the challenge of securing another podium finish in Ludlow, and the final stages of the Defender Challenge."
2014 is the inaugural year of the Defender Challenge by Bowler race series, which features seven rounds, held across the UK. The series has been created to offer competitors a clear pathway to progress to further international rally raid competition such as the Africa Race and Dakar Rally.
Drew Bowler, Managing Director of Bowler Motorsport will make his rally debut when competing in this weekend's stage.
He said: "With just three rounds to go, the Defender Challenge by Bowler series is really hotting up. The first four rounds have provided some great rallying and we looking forward to seeing six teams tackle the testing all‑gravel course in Ludlow."
People wishing to find out more information about the Defender Challenge by Bowler should visit: www.bowlermotorsport.com or, to get a taste of the action, watch the highlights video from Round 4 at: http://www.landrover.co.uk/sponsorship‑and‑experiences/defender‑challenge.
ENDS.
For further information contact:
Paul Garbett, Defender Challenge by Bowler Communications:
paul.garbett@fasttrackagency.com,
+44 (0)7718 340555
Kim Palmer, Public Relations Manager, Land Rover UK
kpalmer@landrover.com,
+44 (0)2476 564129
Jessica Rumboll, Press Officer, Land Rover UK
jrumboll@landrover.com,
+44 7880 177 300
Editor's Note:
About the Defender Challenge:
The Defender Challenge by Bowler is a one‑make rally series
operated by Bowler Motorsport designed to act as a feeder series to
the annual Dakar rally and other global rally competitions.
Continuing the strategic partnership announced in 2012 between Land Rover and Bowler Motorsport, the Defender Challenge will see competition‑prepared Land Rover Defenders being used in a one‑make, seven round, rally series taking place across the UK. The series will be regulated by the MSA (Motor Sports Association) and each Defender Challenge car will be FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) compliant enabling competitors to compete internationally.
The ultimate aim of the series is to provide a route for teams to progress to top rally raid competitions such as the Dakar and the Africa Race, a pathway previously non‑existent for drivers and teams aspiring to compete in the world's toughest races. Competing in the Defender Challenge by Bowler are drivers with experience of races such as the Dakar, the Dubai Desert Challenge, and drivers for whom this will be their first stage rally. For Damien Taft, this was his first motorsport event since representing the UK in the 1994 Camel Trophy. In addition, Richard Hayward is a previous Dakar competitor and a second place finisher in the former London‑Dakar race. Other drivers, such as Steve Richards and Andrew Wicklow, were racing in their first ever stage rally event, both with the aim of developing their skills and gaining the required license to compete in the Dakar.
All competitors drive Bowler‑prepared Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles that have been expertly modified for safety, performance and durability. The modifications to the competing Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles include a full MSA / FIA certified roll cage, fire extinguisher system, racing seats and harnesses, light‑weight Bowler wheels, a full Bowler racing suspension system with bespoke springs and heavy duty racing dampers and an engine tune to 175hp that delivers 450Nm of torque.
The Defender Challenge is a 'class' within existing rally events where total entries of all classes will be between 80 and 130 cars (including the Defender Challenge cars). These events vary in distance and duration, but all will give the team (driver, navigator, service crew) an introductory experience of national level motorsport. Completion of the series will gain the driver their National B rally license, and attendance at some of Bowlers' overseas races will allow this to be converted into the International license required for events such as the Dakar.
About Land Rover:
Land Rover is supporting the Defender Challenge by Bowler
series. Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing
authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the
model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport,
Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4
sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately
180 global markets.
About Bowler Motorsport:
Bowler is a market leader in the production of racing and high
performance all terrain vehicles, and has been since 1985. The UK
pioneers in Rally Raid cars, Bowler has continually competed at the
highest levels and, during this time, has designed, developed and
produced some of the most innovative, durable and exciting all
terrain vehicles ever seen.
The Bowler Wildcat, Nemesis and now the EXR have all been proven in the toughest race in the world ‑ the Dakar. Each evolution of Bowler has refined the knowledge and experience gained from the previous one.
Based in Derbyshire in the UK, Bowler uses both technology and craftsmanship to deliver vehicles with style, strength, performance and an unrivalled spirit of adventure.
About Race2Recovery:
Race2Recovery is a successful off‑road racing team that provides
opportunities for people who live with disabilities to participate
in motorsport.
The team is the first and only motorsport team with disabled team injured members to twice enter and complete the Dakar Rally (in January 2013 and 2014). Team members achieve the extraordinary through endeavour and endurance; they are courageous and undaunted by injury, disability and challenges.
Race2Recovery is a strong and supportive team; members become a part of the R2R family and the team are supported by a loyal community of followers from around the world.
