Defender Makes Dakar History

Defender Rally Secures Historic 1–2 Finish at the 2026 Dakar Rally

Dakar Rally marked a historic milestone as Defender Rally secured first and second place in the Stock class on its debut appearance at the world’s toughest off-road competition.

At the 2026 edition — the opening round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) — Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal were crowned Stock class champions, completing the rally in 58h 09’ 45’’ aboard the all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R. Teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman finished second, while 14-time Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Mika Metge placed fourth, underlining a dominant debut for the team.

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Dominance Across the Desert

After two demanding weeks in the Saudi Arabian desert, Baciuška and Vidal sealed overall victory by winning Stage 13 in 55m 51s. Across 10 of 13 stages, Defender crews delivered 1–2–3 finishes. Over 14 days, the three Defender Dakar D7X-R vehicles covered approximately 24,000 km, demonstrating consistency, resilience, and teamwork.

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Production Roots, Championship Performance

The Defender Dakar D7X-R is closely derived from the production Defender OCTA. Built on the same D7x body architecture and powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, it is enhanced for W2RC competition with a wider track, increased ride height, revised suspension, and upgraded cooling systems — proving its durability in extreme conditions.

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Team Spirit and What’s Next

Drivers praised the extraordinary effort of mechanics, engineers, and team members, highlighting the unity that delivered a historic first-year victory. Senior leadership described the achievement as a landmark moment for Defender motorsport.

Supported by partners including Castrol, YETI, Bilstein, Bell & Ross, and Epic Games, Defender Rally will continue its 2026 W2RC campaign at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal from 17–22 March 2026.

This debut victory firmly establishes Defender’s capability and competitive strength on the global motorsport stage. Start your next journey with us today at MYNAGHI.SA by Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors.