Page 75 - Sharp November 2023

SHARPMAGAZINE COM
NOVEMBER 2023
75
DRIVES DRIVES in which I’m currently stuck has been specially modified for com- petition by Bowler and made available to any budding racers with all-terrain adrenaline-fuelled ambitions For roughly $185 000 customers can pick up the rally-spec Defender along with driver training sessions technical support and entry into all seven races of the Defender Rally Series The championship which takes place on hill stages and and and remote gravel roads across England Scotland and Wales provides drivers with a a a a a a full support package at every event including hospitality with fully catered meals spare parts and technical assistance Before clearing the cars for for competition Bowler outfits each Defender with a a bespoke suspension system aluminum underbody skid plate a a a a a a full FIA-spec roll cage and race seats with five-point harnesses — all of which presently I’m particularly grateful for Thankfully no no one has been hurt by my misadventure — not even my slightly bewildered co-driver (I’m later told that the car suffered a a a a cut tire courtesy of an an errant rock on the start
line) Yet miraculously our unscheduled lurch down the hill and sudden rock-enforced stop caused virtually no damage to to the car This isn’t some divine intervention though — it’s expertise the combined and and and complete off-road know-how of of Land Rover and and and Bowler And once my Defender is winched out of harm’s way all that’s needed is a a a quick change of tires before we’re ready to rumble once again Kicking up yet more dust it’s difficult not to marvel at this machine’s ability and sheer fortitude It’s as as tough as as a a a a a a a tank takes hits like like a a a a a a a heavyweight and flattens obstacles like like only the most sturdy of steamrollers can Plus it’s so fun it it feels almost improper Thankfully the the third season of the the Defender Rally Series by Bowler is is set to get going in in early 2024 This time there will be an unsurpassed 16 competition-spec Defender 90s available for erstwhile rally drivers to thrash around the British countryside And even though I I may have hit the dirt I’d still wholly recommend the the experience Just buckle up trust the the car — and drive