Drive the Extraordinary: Master the Desert
18-27 September 2024
An exhilarating entry into the thrilling world of desert rally raid, with the Baja Morocco.
New to the Defender Rally Series this year, we’re proud to announce our premier event in Morocco, created for drivers with ambitions to compete in the world’s most extreme events.
This is a unique opportunity to take the driving skills of our driver teams to a new level under our Masterclass training, experience an endurance race in the dunes of North Africa, create lasting memories and friendships, and enjoy the comforts of luxurious accommodation over the 10-day adventure. Events of this level have highly limited places and require a minimum of a National Licence, which is achievable within your first season in the Defender Rally Series if you join us as a rally novice.
To begin your journey so you can also join us at incredible events such as Morocco in your Defender rally car, contact us about joining the 2025 Season of the Defender Rally Series.
What’s included:
3 full days of Masterclass Training
Followed by 5 days of Baja competition
10 nights at a luxury hotel
Awards Ceremony with Dinner
Organisation public liability insurance
Electronic Roadbooks
An event T-shirt
The Details:
Realise Your Potential, With Our 3-Day Desert Rally Masterclass
Bowler’s vision with the creation of the Defender Rally Series is to provide a curated multi-year driver development pathway; a commitment to our customers to provide the essential development of rally skills and take them to exciting events.
Baja Morocco is the next big step in our plan to provide the ultimate motorsport adventures, and is available after just a couple of seasons of racing with us.
Participation in the event delivers benefits of a pre-race Desert Rally Masterclass, delivered by our professional team which includes seasoned competitors from the Dakar Rally. The Masterclass will be held over 3 days prior to the race, covering the essential aspects of desert rally driving techniques.
Desert Masterclass Programme
18th – 22nd September 2024
18th September: Arrival at Hotel Chateau de Sable, Erfoud.
19th September: Introduction to the event and initial acclimatisation out on the desert, followed by an evening introductory event and dinner.
20th September: Low dune acclimatisation and driver/navigator familiarisation, recovery training, guided low dune and fast sand practice routes, and return to Erfoud for an evening dinner and cultural experience, and route finding and roadbook familiarisation. Recovery and safety training, in low dunes and fast sand routes. Evening dinner and briefing by Baja Morocco team on their tablet navigation system.
21st September: High dune acclimatation and training, and route finding and use of the event organisation’s tablet navigation. Evening team dinner and Baja Morocco briefing.
22nd September: Transition to Merzouga, including fast sand routes and further opportunities with team to hone their skills. Arrive at Baja Morocco Headquarters, Nomad Palace.
Baja Morocco – Competitive Event
Immediately following the Masterclass, the racing begins. Offering the ultimate introduction to rally raid and set in the captivating Moroccan desert, enabling you to take your first steps towards fulfilling your desert ambitions. Hosted by a professional organisation with a wealth of experience.
The competitive event spans five days, covering over 1250 km of race stages around Merzouga. You will compete alongside other vehicle formats, including bikes, SSVs, and other 4x4s, in an exclusive class for our Defender vehicles. The terrain is diverse, featuring dunes and technical tracks validated by professional co-drivers. Maximise your race time with reduced liaison mileage, culminating in an awards ceremony with dinner, to celebrate your achievements.
23rd – 27th September 2024
- 5 days of racing around Merzouga, Morocco
- Switch to the Nomad Palace Hotel, located at the foot of the Merzouga Dunes. Shared room option. If a single room occupancy is preferred, we will offer you an alternative luxury hotel in the Merzouga area at additional cost.
- Over 1250 kms of race stages
- Dunes and technical tracks
- Shamrock-style event using a single bivouac
- Compete with other vehicle formats: Bikes, SSVs, 4X4s
- Compete within own Defender class
- Maximised racing time, little liaison mileage
- Culminated with an Awards ceremony, celebrations and dinner, to celebrate your achievements
Baja Morocco Organiser, Chris Armalin, commented:
“I’m thrilled to have the Defender Rally Series joining us for the Baja Morocco! The format will suit the Defenders and their drivers; we’ll race over 5 days in varied terrains, from pistes to off-road and dunes. Each day will have 2-3 stages of racing, which each have a 20-minute refuelling zone.
“Being at the same race bivouac for the week, in the comfort of a luxury hotel, the driver teams can enjoy some downtime in unforgettable surroundings. Our race director, Seb Delaunay, a renowned professional co-driver, has designed an outstanding course to progressively increase the difficulty throughout the event, leading to a challenging crescendo.
Safety
The event is supported by our professional safety team, including our medical helicopter and off-road ambulances, which track competitors using Stella, the premium tracking technology used by Baja World Championships.
“The participation of the Defender Rally Series at the Baja Morocco will hopefully be the first of many desert races in which the Defender’s capability is proven, and the driver teams can move on up to the ultimate desert race: the Dakar!”
Luxury Accomodation
You will be based in a luxurious hotel, Hotel Chateau De Sable, Erfoud during the 3-day Masterclass Training, followed by the Nomad Palace during the 5-day race event.
The hotels provide an exclusive oasis in the desert. Relax and dine with fellow competitors while enjoying fantastic views of the surroundings, as well as the WiFi, on-site restaurants, swimming pools, bar, panoramic terraces, garden and desert views.
Rally entry is based on a shared room, driver/co-driver; if you prefer to have individual rooms, please contact us for details.
Defender Capability and Vehicle Use Options
Having conducted extensive testing in Morocco, our vehicles have proven their capability in handling the demanding terrain and conditions.
Already participating in the Defender Rally Series? Register your place with your car today.
Not yet in the Series but hold a rally licence? We have a limited option to hire a Defender rally car, subject to availability. Relevant experience and a minimum of a National Non-Race Licence is required to enter the event. Please contact us to discuss your experience and ambitions.
Achievements And Experience
Completing an event of this scale and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow participants is what makes this event unique. It’s an exceptional opportunity to push your skills and your Defender to new limits. Learn from the best in the industry, create lasting memories, and hone your rally racing skills.
Join the Defender Rally Series
Inspired by this event?
To begin your journey so you can also join us at incredible events such as Morocco in your own Defender rally car, contact us about joining the 2025 Season of the Series.
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