Defender Achieves Historic Success in Dakar in its First Year

Defender, distributed in Turkey by Borusan Otomotiv, achieved a great success in the 2026 Dakar Rally, considered the world's toughest off-road race. The Defender Rally team secured the top two positions in the "Stock" category, where production vehicles compete, achieving a remarkable result in its first participation in the Dakar Rally with this strong performance.

Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal , competing with a Defender Dakar D7X-R, won the "Stock" category with a total time of 58 hours, 9 minutes, and 45 seconds; their teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman finished second. Dakar Rally legend and 14-time champion Stéphane Peterhansel finished fourth with Mika Metge .

In the race, which consisted of a total of 13 stages, the Defender Rally teams delivered a remarkable performance, sharing the top three positions in 10 of the stages. During the challenging 14-day competition in the Saudi Arabian deserts, the three Defender Dakar D7X-R vehicles covered a total of 24,000 kilometers.

Defender Dakar D7X-R: From Mass Production to Race Victory

The Defender Dakar D7X-R, which triumphed in the Dakar Rally, was developed based on the Defender OCTA, the most robust series production model the brand has ever produced. Each vehicle's journey began at the Defender production facility in Nitra, Slovakia, on the same body line as series production Defender models. The Defender Dakar D7X-R shares the same D7x aluminum monocoque body architecture, powertrain, and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine as the Defender OCTA, while being enhanced with race-specific technical enhancements to adapt to the demanding conditions of the Dakar Rally.

A source of pride for the whole team.

Speaking after the race, Stock category champion Rokas Baciuška emphasized that winning the Dakar Rally was a dream come true for him, and that this achievement in the first year for the Defender was a source of immense pride for the entire team. His teammate, Sara Price, stated that meeting the entire Defender team at the finish line in the final stage revealed the true meaning of this success. Dakar Rally legend Stéphane Peterhansel also said that this Dakar was an emotionally charged adventure for him, and that the most important element that stood out was the strong team spirit.

Defender's Signature on the Organization as Well

In addition to its racing success, the Defender also played a significant role in the organization of the Dakar Rally. During the event, transportation for race officials and VIP media representatives was provided by a specially allocated fleet of Defenders, while the organizing team also used Defender vehicles for route planning and reconnaissance. This support once again demonstrated that the Defender offers a reliable mobility solution even under the most challenging conditions.

The team achieved a historic success in its first year.

Defender General Manager Mark Cameron said the following about the achievement: “Achieving such a result in our first Dakar participation is an indescribable source of pride. The fact that all three Defenders crossed the finish line together is the result of extraordinary teamwork. We made history in Dakar, and I am proud of our entire team who were part of this success.”

Defender Rally Team Director Ian James added: “This achievement is not only a victory, but also a testament to our team’s determination and resilience. Winning Dakar in our first year and achieving it with such strong team spirit is unforgettable for all of us.”

The World Rally-Raid Championship continues.

Following the 2026 Dakar Rally, which also constitutes the first leg of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) , the Defender Rally team will continue its championship campaign with the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal race , taking place from March 17–22 .