- Global competition: The Defender Rally Series heads to the Baja Morocco in September, immersing UK Championship competitors in the thrilling world of desert rally raid for the first time
- Ultimate experience: Drivers and co-drivers will enjoy three days of Masterclass Training in the desert dunes followed by five days of flat-out Baja competition
- Moroccan adventure: Competing against other specialised vehicles and motorcycles, the North African event covers 1,250km of competitive stages
- Progression journey: Open to current Defender Rally Series competitors and Defender newcomers alike, participation in the Baja Morocco represents the pinnacle of the curated development pathway the Defender Rally Series promotes
- Safe and secure: With strength and durability at its core, the rally-prepared Defender 90 is built to take on the dunes and high temperatures of Morocco
- Luxury accommodation: All entrants will spend ten nights in luxurious accommodation, staying in Erfoud and then Merzouga from 18-27 September
The Defender Rally Series is heading to North Africa in September for the ultimate desert Baja rally experience, a ten-day event across the sand dunes of Morocco that will excite and challenge the driver and co-driver pairings in equal measure.
Bringing competitors to the Baja Morocco for the first time in the Series’ history, the event represents the pinnacle of the curated multi-year driver development pathway at the core of the Defender Rally Series, where everyone from complete motorsport novices to those with previous rally or track competition experience can develop essential rally skills and race at exciting global events.
Immersing competitors in the iconic world of desert motorsport, current Defender Rally Series drivers will be joined by newcomers in the Defender 90, with the first timers able to hire the specially prepared competition vehicle for the duration of the event. All attendees will venture to Morocco for eight days of driving, the first three of which will be dedicated to Desert Rally Masterclass sessions, the final five to the competition itself.
The Desert Rally Masterclass will be delivered by a professional team from the Defender Rally Series and Bowler*, which includes seasoned all-terrain competitors from the Dakar Rally. Day one of the masterclass will give teams the chance to acclimatise to desert conditions, learning the skills necessary to drive safely and confidently over the smaller peaks. They’ll also run through safety and recovery training and see their route books for the first time. Day two will allow teams to practice driving across taller dunes and route finding, ensuring everyone is as prepared as possible for the competition to follow. The third day will give teams a chance to string all the various elements together, including maintaining pace on the ground between small and large dunes.
The competitive event consists of five days of challenging and exciting driving, conquering the remote and harsh landscape of Morocco, specifically the Merzouga Dunes. Covering 1,250km, the fleet of Defender 90s forms its own class, with all vehicles competing alongside other rally-prepared vehicles and motorcycles.
With the same 221kW Ingenium petrol engine, responsive eight‑speed ZF automatic gearbox and advanced All‑Wheel Drive system as showroom models, the Defender 90 has been designed to take on challenges such as these. Ensuring strength and resilience in competition, the specially prepared Defender 90s also feature additional monocoque bracing, a rally-spec gearbox cross member, stiffened gearbox, engine and radiator mounts, braced front and rear subframes and more.
Alongside the safety features of the Defender 90, including an FIA internal roll cage, five‑point race harnesses, an integrated and hand‑held fire suppression system, electrical cut‑off switches and more, the event is supported by a professional safety team, ensuring safety and security at all times. The event is supported by a medical helicopter, off-road ambulances and emergency doctors, while all vehicles are tracked using Stella, the premium tracking technology used by Baja World Championships.
Calum McKechnie, General Manager, Bowler Motors, said: “This will be an exciting challenge for the competitors, the vehicles, the crews and mechanics alike, but embarking on these adventures is exactly why the Defender Rally Series was conceived. Our goal is always to see drivers and co-drivers progress, moving through the first-year UK Championship and second-year European Baja Championship, with the hope of opening doors to other exciting global competitions.
“With the Baja Morocco, we’re able to take Series regulars as well as experienced newcomers to a truly iconic part of the world, one that is intrinsically tied to all-wheel drive motorsport with events such as the Dakar Rally. I’m confident the event will deliver stunning lifelong memories and they will come away at the end better drivers and co-drivers because of it, all while experiencing the incredible capabilities that our road based Defender 90 will demonstrate in the kind of environment it has been built to explore.”
Chris Armalin, Baja Morocco Organiser, said: “The format will suit the Defender 90s and their drivers, racing over five days in varied terrains with two to three stages per day, from pistes to off-road and dunes. Each day will have two to three stages of racing. Being at the same race bivouac for the week, in the comfort of a luxury hotel, the driver teams can enjoy some downtime in unforgettable surroundings. Our race director, Seb Delaunay, a renowned professional co-driver, has designed an outstanding course to progressively increase the difficulty throughout the event, leading to a challenging crescendo.”
A limited number of entries remain available for the event, running from 18-27 September. For pricing and further information specifically for Baja Morocco, please contact: Rob Cooney, Commercial Manager, Bowler Motors Ltd.
For pricing and information on registration for the 2025 Defender Rally Series, and to progress your motorsport journey towards incredible events such as those in Morocco, visit bowlermotors.com.
