Defender Rally Dominates Desafio Ruta 40 With Perfect Stock Class Finish

Defender Rally made history by achieving a remarkable clean sweep at the 2026 Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina, with all three Defender Dakar D7X-R race vehicles finishing in the Stock class. This Argentine rally, known for being one of the most challenging events on the rally-raid calendar, spanned five days and tested teams across mountainous terrain, sand dunes, and riverbeds.

The Wins

Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Mika Metge clinched victory in the Stock class, finishing with a total time of 18 hours, 11 minutes, and 12 seconds. Rokas Baciuska and Oriol Vidal secured second place with a time of 18 hours, 20 minutes, and 30 seconds, while Sara Price and Saydie Gray took third with a time of 19 hours, 6 minutes, and 4 seconds. For a program still establishing its presence in rally-raid, this one-two-three podium finish is an outstanding accomplishment.

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The three teams also finished 18th, 19th, and 20th overall in the Car category. The Defender Dakar D7X-R competes in the Stock class for production-based vehicles, while the cars ahead in the overall rankings belong to the unrestricted T1+ Ultimate category, designed for maximum speed.

Defender Dakar D7X-R

The D7X-R is not a completely new car customised for the event, and it is derived from the production Defender Octa. It maintains its core body architecture, transmission, and driveline configuration from the commercial model. Engineers adapted it to meet FIA rally-raid standards by incorporating a wider track, upgraded suspension, and improved cooling systems while keeping the standard production base intact.

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Desafio Ruta 40

The Desafio Ruta 40 comprised 1,523 kilometers of timed stages, commencing and concluding in San Juan. The route ventured into the Mendoza region, traversed parts of the Andes, and included dry riverbeds, elevated mountain terrains, and steep dunes.

The final stage was 340 kilometers long, which Baciuska and Vidal won with a time of 2 hours, 53 minutes, and 5 seconds. Peterhansel and Metge placed second in that stage, while Price and Gray secured third, culminating in a clean sweep on the last day to complete the flawless podium.

All-Female Crew Makes History

In addition to their podium success, Sara Price and Saydie Gray became the first all-female team to participate in the Desafio Ruta 40. They also achieved a stage victory during the event, representing a significant milestone. This was also Gray's debut competitive event with Defender Rally.

What's Next?

Following this successful campaign in Argentina, Defender Rally will head to Morocco for the next round of the World Rally-Raid Championship. The Rallye du Maroc is set to take place from September 28 to October 3, 2026.

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