2014 Defender Challenge series / round 2

 

• Round two of rally series to take place at Somerset Stages Rally on Saturday 12 April
• Entry confirmed for Land Rover sponsored Race2Recovery – world’s only disabled rally team
• Three new teams and two novice drivers to make this their first ever competitive rally drive

 

Whitley, Warwickshire, Thursday 10th April 2014:

The second round of the Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series will take place this weekend on Saturday 12th April at the Somerset Stages Rally. The rally will mark the introduction of a number of new teams to the series, including the Land Rover sponsored Race2Recovery team of injured soldiers and civilians who made history when they became the first ever disabled team to complete the Dakar rally.

The Somerset Stages Rally is the South West’s premier forest rally, with teams starting in Minehead at 08:00 before competing across Exmoor National Park and the surrounding area. The event incorporates a number of classes, including the Defender Challenge by Bowler series along with the ASWMC Championship, BTRDA Championship and MSA English Rally Championship.

The Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series, launched this year, incorporates racing across seven rounds, with teams required to compete in a minimum of five rounds. The series aims to provide a pathway for both novice and experienced drivers to progress to top rally raid events such as the Dakar. Three new teams have been added to Round two, including Race2Recovery whose entry has been supported by long-term sponsor Land Rover.

Race2Recovery is using the series as a platform to train up new injured recruits to the team and to gain further rallying experience ahead of future Dakar challenges. Team founder, retired Captain Tony Harris, has been confirmed as the team’s driver for this weekend’s race. He will be partnered by co-driver Rich Mitchell, a rally enthusiast who in 2012, along with his wife, donated all their wedding gifts to Race2Recovery’s fundraising campaign for the Tedworth House Personnel Recovery Centre.

Speaking ahead of Round two, Tony Harris said:

“I’m delighted to be behind the wheel for Race2Recovery’s entry into the Defender Challenge by Bowler. Our primary sponsor, Land Rover has been with us since the beginning and played a huge role in us completing the Dakar in 2013 and 2014. We’re delighted they have extended their support by enabling us to compete in such an exciting and unique rally series.

“Race2Recovery was set up to provide injured soldiers with a platform to help their recovery and inspire others who may be recovering from injury or illness. Our entry into the Defender Challenge by Bowler allows us to expand the team to train up new recruits, enhance our rallying experience and also widen our new recruits to people who have been injured or ill in all walks of life, not just in the military. It also provides us with a great chance to compete on home soil in front of the UK rally fans who have been so supportive of our team to date.”

Other new entrants featuring in Round 2 of the Defender Challenge by Bowler include:

Rob and Jonny Harford – a father and son team who both have experience of racing Land Rovers, Rob will be driving and Jonny navigating

Simon Armstrong – the co-driver of Andrew Wicklow who is building up driving experience to develop his co-driving skills. Navigating will be Aynslie Morris.

Matthew Mills – a long term Land Rover fan, this will be Matt’s first rally despite other off road experience. Navigating will be Jon Chester from Bowler.

Defender Challenge by Bowler results from Round 2:

Position	Car	Driver	Co-Driver	Time
1	79	Tony HARRIS	Richard MITCHELL	0:59:44
2	77	Damien TAFT	Simon TAFT	1:00:10
3	60	Robert HARFORD	Jonathan HARFORD	1:01:39
4	81	Matt MILLS	Jon CHESTER	1:06:07
5	78	Simon ARMSTRONG	Aynslie MORROW	1:06:56
6	76	Richard HAYWARD	Matthew LISTER	1:07:10
7	80	Stephen RICHARDS	Kevin HANDLEY	1:08:46

Defender Challenge by Bowler race schedule:

2 March	Mid Wales Stages, Newtown, Wales
12 April	Somerset Stages, Minehead, Somerset
7 June	Dukeries Rally Southwell, Nottinghamshire
19/20 July	Welsh Hill Rally Walters Arena, Swansea
30 August	Woodpecker Stages Ludlow, Shropshire
24/25 October	Rallye Sunseeker Poole, Dorset
22/23 November	Borders Hill Rally Dumfries, Scotland