- Edd Cobley achieves first position in 2015's opening round of Defender Challenge by Bowler in Somerset.
- Promising start to season from Defender Challenge newcomers Brian Palmer and Calum MacPhail.
Whitley, UK. April 20th 2015 ‑ Round one of the 2015 season of the Defender Challenge by Bowler sped into action this weekend at the BTRDA Somerset Stages rally.
Nine competing teams gathered on the seafront at Minehead on Saturday morning to realise a winter season of preparations and improvements to their Bowler modified Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles. Amongst them were four new teams and five returning teams.
In a seeded start, last year's champion and Land Rover Experience instructor Edd Cobley and co‑driver John Tomley headed out of service ahead of their assembled competitors cementing their position as 'the ones to beat' in this, the second year of the Defender Challenge and achieving a well‑deserved first place with a 00:51:43 result in a trouble free race.
A mix of tarmac and forest stages set amongst the stunning backdrop of Exmoor National Park set the scene for the race attracting strong support from spectators with fans of all ages turning out to line the forest stage. The combination of closed road sections and rough gravel forest stages suited the newcomers amongst the teams, particularly Brian Palmer and co‑driver Calum MacPhail who achieved a solid fourth place result with a time of 00:55:23 ‑ an encouraging result for their very first race.
Edd Cobley said, "This weekend has been a great start to the Defender Challenge for John and I, I'm very honoured to have won the first event. There were some very fast times on the stages from all competitors; this year is going to be very interesting.
"The Defender has once again proved itself in the rally enabling us to climb nearly 60 places in the event. I'm looking forward to the next event where we will have our own Defender (Team Sturgess Land Rover) to compete in for the rest of the season."
Jon Chester, Brand Director Bowler Motorsport, commented, "This was a fabulous start to the 2015 season. All of the Defenders finished and came back without a scratch, which shows the benefit of winter maintenance, testing, and driver training. As usual, the rally was exceedingly well organised and it was great to have the service park back on the seafront for both competitors and spectators alike. All the new teams put in strong performances and it promises to be a really exciting championship ‑ we're looking forward to the first hill rally in a few weeks' time and the prospect of 13 Defender Challenge cars competing in Wales."
2015 Defender Challenge by Bowler standing after Round 1:
| Position | Driver | Co‑Driver | Time |
| 1 | Edd Cobley | Allan Jackson | 00:51:43 |
| 2 | Gareth Carruuthers | Walace McKay | 00:53:25 |
| 3 | David Johnson | Joseph Monaghan | 00:54:55 |
| 4 | Brian Palmer | Calum MacPhail | 00:55:23 |
| 5 | Jonathan Harfdord | John Boughton | 00:56:41 |
| 6 | Damian Taft | Simon Taft | 00:57:40 |
| 7 | Lynfel Owen | David Harlow | 00:57:55 |
| 8 | Christian Femont | Peter Janssen | 00:58:28* |
| 9 | Richard Hayward | Matt Lister | 01:03:24 |
*includes a 1:00 minute time penalty
People wishing to find out more information about the Defender Challenge by Bowler should visit uk.media.landrover.com and follow the @LandroverUKPR twitter feed.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
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, all give the driver, navigatorand service crew an introductory experience of national level motorsport. Completion of the series will gain the driver their National A rally license and attendance at some of Bowler's overseas races will allow this to be converted into the International license required for events such as the Dakar Rally.
All competitors in the Defender Challenge drive Bowler‑prepared Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles that have been modified for safety and performance. Modifications 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 tuned to 175hp that delivers 450Nm of torque.
About Land Rover:
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.
For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:
Kim Palmer
Public Relations Manager, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 564 129
M: 07795 666 169
E: kpalmer@landrover.com
Tracey Tompsett
Senior Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 565 210
M: 07469 032 064
E: ttompset@landrover.com
Follow us on Twitter: @LandRoverUKPR
