Bowled over

When Land Rover launched the new Defender they called it the most capable Land Rover ever created. You and I both know that the ‘most capable’ will not be able to challenge for motorsport honours at something like the Dakar Rally, Finke Desert Race or Desert 1000 in its standard format. Enter into the fray Bowler Motors, founded in 1985 and recently acquired by Jaguar Land Rover, this British company has been building magnificent off-road racing machines for major events such as the Dakar Rally and French Baja. 

In the past few months I have spent a lot of time off-roading in the new Defender, this included stints in the new V8 (see page 64) as well as my favourite of the lot, the six cylinder diesel. Now I find myself at JLR’s Fen End facility for something top secret and a dare I say it, very different, a first drive of Bowler Motors rally version of the new Defender.

Bowler Defender: built for real rally racing 

Why have they done this? This Bowler Motors rally Defender will be competing in its very own championship (the Bowler Defender Challenge series) starting in March 2022 and if you have a spare 100k lying about then you too could take part! That is what one of these vehicles costs and this includes entry into the seven event UK championships. If successful could we see similar events popping up in other parts of the world where Land Rovers feature prominently?

As I climbed out of my old 1998 Defender 110 and walked into the pits next to the gravel track I saw Bowler’s rally new Defender for the first time. I must say it reminded me a little of the beefed-up-to-the-max Minis that take part in the Dakar Rally. Except this was a Land Rover Defender of course and it really did more than look the part. Now before you think I bet it has a V8 engine in, think again old chap. Our friends at Bowler used a short wheel base Defender 90 with a 300PS Ingenium 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the starting point of their creation. According to Bowler their challenge was to try and see how little they could do to the new Defender before it was in some sort of shape to take part in the single series championship.

Not like other new Defenders   

As I took a walk over for some closer inspection it quickly became apparent that this was not at all like the new Defenders I have driven thus far. Let’s start at the front, the two side auxiliary radiators had been removed, there was also a modified front end to increase airflow to the cooling system. Then they had added extra Laser Lamps lights to the front and I bet my old Defender that some new Defender owners will be doing the same. The rear roof spoiler also houses additional lighting which can be useful during night stages. Then they cut 75mm off the bottom of the doors, this allowed for the fitment of the full-length and side to underbody protection inserts. These new Defenders are tough, I recently hit a fallow deer in one and it did not do much damage, now Bowler have made small mods to further stiffen something that is already pretty rigid and safe.

The other major external change were the 18-inch rally wheels shod in BF Goodrich All Terrain T265/65R18 tyres. Each of these Defenders had to be stripped back so that Bowler could install a full FIA-standard roll cage. As for the front and rear subframes they provide additional bracing for the racing suspension set-up. Thanks to the stiffer coils and Fox racing shocks it has an increased ride height of 25mm. All done in the need for speed.

Pat takes the wheel

I was so excited and nervous after climbing in to take it for a test drive. I noticed that the gear selector has been repositioned for easier access. There are a few new buttons that will activate things such as the electric cut-offs, fire protection and additional lighting of course. I was told that they did try an Evoque steering wheel when building the prototype but they instead went for a smaller black racing wheel and quality competition race seats.

It just roared to life with the push of a button and I was off, I used the first lap as a sighter lap just to get used to the vehicle. It has column-mounted paddle shifters (not normally available on new Defenders) but I just left it in S mode to focus on staying on the track.

Confidence comes quickly

The more time I spent driving it the faster I went of course as I got more confidence in the Bowler and my abilities. On the long stretches I floored the accelerator. Ping. Twank. Goomph. The rubber churned up hundreds of stones as I happily speed along. The handling in some of the tighter, slower forest sections were an absolute pleasure to drive and you could really throw the 90 about while still feeling pretty much in control. Just before the jump there was a very rocky section which too was hit at best speed. The Bowler just chomped it all up. As we took off at the jump I thought to myself that this is better than sex and single malt. After a few laps I was told to return to the pits. I don’t think I have ever had some much fun in a Land Rover before.

That my friends is what Bowler’s rally new Defender is all about really. Having fun while racing and making motorsport accessible to those that have £100,000 to spend. So it does come at a price of course, but whoever buys it is in for some fun times.

Bowler Land Rover Defender Challenge Car spec (mods from base):

Structural body and chassis:

• Monocoque bracing – minimises body movement and supports underbody protection
• Full internal roll cage integrated with body and linking suspension mounts
• Internal spare wheel mount integrated to roll cage
• Additional front recovery points
• Rally-spec gearbox cross member
• Stiffened gearbox mounts
• Strengthened engine mounts
• Braced front and rear subframes
• Front suspension turret brace
• Rear turret brace
• Strengthened radiator mounts
• Adapted chassis and subframe mounts

Performance:

• Cooling – auxiliary radiators removed and system redesigned to increase airflow to main radiator
• Increased transmission cooling capacity
• Bowler Sports exhaust system
• Bowler 18” wheels with increased strength
• All-terrain tyres
• Bespoke suspension design with modified subframes, new springs and unique turrets for increased stiffness
• Bespoke Fox dampers
• Race steering wheel with quick release boss
• Side air intake covers
• High level air intake
• Front upper wishbone revised to reflect new ride height geometry

Electrical/systems:

• ECU system integration with race box
• ABS/DSC – rally control modifications
• New integrated wiring harness for new components
• New rally-spec facia
• Navigator control unit for lights/washer/horn
• Rally system integration with JLR safety systems
• Adapted body control unit

Regulatory:

• High-level rear marker lights
• Alpine, door and rear windows replaced with polycarbonate
• Race sports seats with specific race seat mounts
• 6-point race harness
• Integrated and hand-held fire suppression
• Internal/external electrical cut-off switches
• Complete removal of all airbag systems

Design:

• Front bumper adapted to take new underbody protection
• Bowler front grille with increased air flow
• Rear roof spoiler with extended profile and integrated additional reversing lights
• Front and rear wing shields to meet new underbody protection
• Wheel arch extensions utilising accessory fitment
• Door lowers – protection pieces on shortened doors

Rally Function:

• Additional bonnet-mounted windscreen washers – to deal with rally levels of water splash
• Front driving lights for increased night driving illumination
• Rally-spec mudflaps
• Full underbody protection system – 6mm aluminium reinforced design
• New gear shift position – optimised to sports seats
• Column-mounted gear shift paddles – unique to Bowler
• Passenger foot rest
• Rear door manual release mechanism
• Wheel arch lines – increased strength to meet rally requirements

Fancy a go yourself?

Packages for the 2022 Challenge start at £99,500. This includes: a Bowler-prepared Defender Challenge car, entry into the 2022 series and event support. See bowlermotors.com for more.

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