- Defender Rally returns to competition with its debut entry to the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina from 24-29 May 2026
- Three-crew Defender Rally line-up continues World Rally-Raid Championship title bid in the Stock class after success in the Dakar and Portugal rounds
- Sara Price will be joined by navigator Saydiie Gray, together the first all-female crew to officially compete at the Desafío Ruta 40 since it began in 2010
- Championship leaders Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal, along with Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge, complete the Defender Rally entry
- Defender Rally will compete with the Defender Dakar D7X-R, derived from a Defender OCTA, in the ‘Stock’ class for production-based cars
Defender Rally will make motorsport history in the third round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina, from 24 – 29 May 2026.
Competing for Defender Rally in the Stock class is the team’s world-class line-up of crews: Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal, who currently lead the Stock rankings with 153 points; Sara Price, in second on 127 points, who will be joined by co-driver Saydiie Gray in a new pairing; and Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge, currently third with 118 points.
The coming together of US duo Sara and Saydiie marks the first time an all-female crew has officially competed at the Desafío Ruta 40 since it began in 2010. In her first outing for Defender Rally, Saydiie takes on the role of navigator for Round 3 of the W2RC. The 19-year-old already has a wealth of off-road experience including factory-team competition with Can-Am and Honda. Sara and Saydiie won their first race together in 2023 at the NORRA 1000, a five-day off-road endurance race in Baja, Mexico.
Saydiie Gray, co-driver for Defender Rally, said: “Joining Defender Rally team for the race in Argentina is a massive step for me and I’m buzzing to take on the challenge. Competing with a friend by my side just makes this even more special and makes me even more determined. We’re here to learn, push, and make our mark on the Desafío Ruta 40.”
Held in the Cuyo region of Argentina, the Desafío Ruta 40 spans a total route of more than 2,700km, of which 1,699km are timed stages. The race promises technical challenges with rough and dry terrain with a mix of gravel and sand, including crossing the El Nihuil dunes – a landscape made up of several layers of volcanic sand.
Ian James, Team Principal for Defender Rally, said: “It’s time for another new challenge for our team, as we reach the halfway point of the season with the Desafío Ruta 40. I was extremely impressed with the performance from the entire team at Round 2 in Portugal, so I’m excited to see how the team performs in yet another demanding location. The Argentinian round features similar settings to the historic years of the Dakar Rally when it was held in South America. Every kilometre is a chance to improve, push harder and demonstrate what Defender is capable of.”
The team continues to compete in the Defender Dakar D7X-R, the tough rally car which has been modified from its Defender OCTA origin to meet the latest FIA Stock class regulations. Built on the same production line as production Defender, it carries the same bodyshell, transmission, driveline layout, and D7x body architecture as the OCTA. It is modified to meet FIA regulations and to handle the extremes of W2RC competition, with adjustments such as enhanced cooling, new suspension and a wider track.
The Defender Dakar D7X-R has already demonstrated its durability and capability in the 2026 W2RC after winning in the Stock class at the Dakar Rally, the team’s debut entry, and successfully completing the bp Ultimate Rally‑Raid Portugal where the crews finished with overall times amongst the Ultimate class.
Rokas Baciuška, Defender Rally driver, said: “Myself and Oriol are really looking forward to competing in Argentina. Our aim will be to extend our lead in the championship, but to also enjoy it, have fun and see what Defender is capable of in this famous racing country.”
Sara Price, Defender Rally driver, said: “I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the D7X-R, and this time with Saydiie as my navigator. We have loads of racing experience together so I’m confident we will put that to good use in Argentina. I’m sure there will be challenges thrown our way, but with our incredible team behind us, there’s nothing we can’t handle.”
Stéphane Peterhansel, Defender Rally driver, said: “I’m very fond of racing in Argentina. I’ve had success with stage wins and overall victories there during the Dakar Rally’s South American era. It’s a terrain I’m familiar with but this will be a new experience for Mika and myself, racing in the Defender Dakar D7X-R. I’m looking forward to it!”
Supporting the team’s efforts in Argentina are Official Partners Castrol, YETI, Bilstein and Bell & Ross, along with official suppliers Shackleton and Alpinestars.
