Bowler Defender Challenge '22

[the sniper]

Only just noticed this from looking at the Rally North Wales entries, but we seemingly have a manufacturer cup in the UK for the first time in a long time, and Mark Higgins is one of the entrants! The Bowler Defender Challenge '22, sponsored by Tata Elxsi (an R&D division of Tata, of course owner of JLR) will feature 7 founds, with a mixture of Stage rallies (bold) and Hill rallies:

4/5/6 March – Walters Arena Bowler Safari
26 March – Rally North Wales (gravel)
27/28/29 May – Welsh Hill Rally
18 June – Kielder Rally (gravel)
23/24 Sept – Rally Yorkshire/Trackrod Rally (gravel)
29 Oct – Cambrian Rally (gravel)
18/19/20 Nov – Scottish Borders Hill Rally

There should seemingly be 13 of them out on Rally North Wales, at least.

https://www.bowlermotors.com/our-ser...der-challenge/

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said:

“The development of the new Bowler Defender Challenge rally car perfectly illustrates the mutual benefits of Bowler joining Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. Our technical support married to Bowler’s legendary rally expertise has turned the extraordinarily capable Defender into a purposeful competition machine. The Bowler Defender Challenge will prove the Defender’s durability through some of the toughest conditions, while providing an exciting and accessible entry point into all-terrain motorsport for a new generation of Bowler and Land Rover customers.”

There's a nice review of the car by Henry Catchpole here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpq8Cz5ftmE

The car was out on the Trackrod rally last year, I thought it looked really good, so glad we'll see plenty more of them! Always glad of more variety.

[Sal yet again]

As an aside to this have gotten a bit more into Comp Safari/Off Road events in the last year. Some of the machinery whilst not always quite on the level of the French Championship is fantastic with great engine noise and engineering, the events themselves are also usually a lot more laid back and welcoming than stage events as well. Always thought that Andy Burton's Pug 306 would have gone well on those events with a bit more suspension travel. Just watch this video from Goodwood FOS from a few years back with Vincent Foucart in his Pug to get an idea:

https://youtu.be/UApFYm3W-s4

[AndyRAC]

Was looking forward to seeing these - and they look good; but the sound.....oh no....

[HKSjbg]

Diesel? Or just dead quiet?

[AndyRAC]

Just not noisy at all; almost road car level...... they're 'only' 2.0l Turbocharged.