Pretoria, South Africa – 30 June 2025 – As the countdown to Defender’s historic entry into the 2026 Dakar Rally and FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) begins, a formidable new partnership has been forged. Shackleton, the British expedition apparel specialist known for its cutting-edge performance outerwear and deep-rooted spirit of adventure, has been announced as the Official Expedition Apparel Supplier to the Defender Rally team.
This announcement marks a significant milestone in Defender’s off-road motorsport journey as it prepares to tackle the world’s toughest endurance rally in the newly redefined ‘Stock’ category. From 2026, this class will showcase production-based vehicles under revised FIA regulations—providing an authentic platform to demonstrate Defender’s inherent capability, durability, and engineering integrity in extreme conditions.
For Shackleton, the partnership is a natural extension of its commitment to exploration and performance. Named after legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, the brand is synonymous with innovation in the harshest environments. Its garments are rigorously tested in real-world expeditions spanning desert, mountain, and polar regions—making them the ideal choice for the unique challenges posed by the W2RC.
“The Dakar has rightly been called the Everest of Motorsport,” said Martin Brooks, Co-Founder and CEO of Shackleton. “It’s a relentless test of human and mechanical endurance. Shackleton exists to support those who push the limits of what’s possible, and the Defender Rally team exemplifies that spirit. We’re proud to provide every member of the team—from drivers and navigators to engineers and support staff—with precision-engineered kit that enables them to perform, survive and succeed in the most hostile conditions on Earth.”
With daytime temperatures in the Dakar Rally often soaring beyond 40°C and plunging to sub-zero overnight, alongside high winds, sandstorms, and unrelenting physical demands, the right apparel is critical. Shackleton’s garments—designed with advanced materials and adaptive layering systems—will provide essential protection and performance throughout the multi-stage campaign.
Ryan Taylor, Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships at JLR Motorsport, welcomed the announcement:
“Bringing Shackleton on board as our Official Expedition Apparel Supplier underlines our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our Dakar and W2RC programme. The Defender Rally team will be operating in some of the most unforgiving terrain on the planet for extended periods. Shackleton’s proven capability in extreme climates will be instrumental in ensuring the team stays focused, resilient and ready—whatever the desert throws at us.”
Defender’s 2026 entry marks the beginning of a bold new chapter, launching a three-year programme that will showcase the production-based vehicle’s prowess in a real-world test like no other. As both brands unite in pursuit of performance, endurance and adventure, this collaboration promises not only cutting-edge innovation on the ground but the forging of a shared legacy at the very frontier of exploration.
About Shackleton
Founded in the UK, Shackleton creates premium expedition-grade outerwear and performance apparel inspired by the leadership and resilience of Sir Ernest Shackleton. All products are engineered for extreme environments and tested in the field to ensure absolute performance.
About Defender Rally
Defender Rally is the motorsport expression of Land Rover’s iconic Defender. With a legacy of go-anywhere capability, the Defender Rally programme is set to enter the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the Dakar Rally from 2026 in the ‘Stock’ category—demonstrating production-spec performance in the world’s toughest rally raid environments.
