In what can only be described as a monumental achievement in the world of motorsport, the Defender Rally team has clinched a historic victory at the 2026 Dakar Rally. On their very first entry into this gruelling event, often referred to as the ‘Everest of motorsport’, the team secured both first and second places in the Stock class for production-based cars.
The championship title was claimed by the duo of Rokas Baciuska and Oriol Vidal, who navigated the treacherous Saudi Arabian desert with an overall time of 58 hours, 09 minutes, and 45 seconds. Their victory was punctuated by a stellar performance in the final Stage 13, which they completed in a mere 55 minutes and 51 seconds. Closely following them were teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman, who secured a remarkable second-place finish. Stephane Peterhansel, a 14-time Dakar veteran known as ‘Mr Dakar’, and his co-driver Mika Metge, rounded out the team’s success with a strong fourth-place ranking in the Stock class rankings.
The dominance of the Defender Rally crews was unmistakable throughout the two-week competition. Over 13 stages of relentlessly tough terrain, the trio achieved a ‘1-2-3’ result across 10 different stages, demonstrating unwavering spirit and precision. In total, the three vehicles racked up a combined 24,000 km traversing the desert, serving as a powerful platform to showcase the durability of the brand.
Defender Dakar D7X-R
At the heart of this triumph is the all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R. This competition machine is closely related to the production Defender OCTA, sharing its state-of-the-art facility in Nitra, Slovakia, for initial assembly. The D7X-R utilises the same robust D7x body architecture and the potent 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine found in the production OCTA. Modifications for the extreme World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) conditions included a wider track, increased ride height, and specialised suspension and cooling systems.
Human Element
The team’s success was bolstered by a network of Official Partners, including Castrol, YETI, Bilstein, Bell & Ross, and Epic Games. Reflected in the drivers’ words, the human effort was as vital as the engineering. “Dreams come true,” said champion Baciuska. “Our mechanics did a great job – working every day until early in the morning to prepare the cars.” Price echoed this sentiment, highlighting the emotional moment of seeing the whole team at the finish line. Team Principal Ian James described the effort as “simply outstanding,” while Mark Cameron, managing director of Defender, noted that the win in their first-ever race had officially made history.
The victory at Dakar marks only the beginning of the team’s journey in the 2026 W2RC. The Defender Rally team will now shift its focus to the upcoming BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, set to take place from March 17-22. Part of the JLR house of brands, Defender continues to embrace the impossible, proving its mettle as a modern-day hero in the most challenging environments on Earth.
