Defender Rally Make History With Debut Dakar Victory

Defender Rally have made motorsport history by winning the 2026 Dakar Rally in their debut year, securing a commanding first and second place finish in the Stock class with the all‑new Defender Dakar D7X‑R. Drivers Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal claimed overall victory with a total time of 58h 09′ 45”, while teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman finished an impressive second, and Stéphane Peterhansel with Mika Metge secured fourth. Across 13 stages and more than 24,000km of harsh desert terrain, the three Defender crews delivered an extraordinary performance, achieving ten ‘1‑2‑3’ stage results and showcasing the capability, endurance, and team spirit that define the Defender brand. The final stage sealed the triumph, with Rokas and Oriol taking the win, followed closely by their teammates to complete a perfect finish to an unforgettable two‑week challenge.

At the heart of this success is the Defender Dakar D7X‑R, a competition‑ready machine derived directly from the production Defender OCTA and built on the same bodyshell assembly line in Nitra, Slovakia. Sharing the robust D7x body architecture, driveline layout, and powerful 4.4‑litre twin‑turbo V8 engine, the D7X‑R represents the pinnacle of Defender engineering, enhanced for W2RC competition with increased ride height, a wider track, upgraded suspension, and advanced cooling systems. Throughout the rally, the team benefitted from the crucial support of Official Partners Castrol, YETI, Bilstein, Bell & Ross, and Epic Games, along with suppliers Shackleton and Alpinestars, ensuring the vehicles and crews were fully equipped to take on the world’s toughest off‑road race.

The emotional response from the team captured the magnitude of this achievement. Rokas Baciuška described his victory as a dream come true, praising the mechanics, engineers, and crew for their relentless effort, while Sara Price highlighted the pride and unity felt as the team crossed the finish line together. Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel reflected on the adventure, celebrating the spirit and camaraderie within the Defender Rally family. Defender Managing Director Mark Cameron called the result “the culmination of an incredible team effort,” and Team Principal Ian James praised the dedication and determination that carried Defender Rally to victory in their first-ever Dakar appearance.

With this historic debut success now secured, Defender Rally will continue their 2026 World Rally‑Raid Championship campaign at the BP Ultimate Rally‑Raid Portugal from 17–22 March 2026.

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Discover the Defender OCTA today, book your test drive, and feel the spirit of Dakar in every drive.