The mighty hi-lux is still kickin arse
I think they’re racing the wrong vehicles.
Based on what I’ve seen recently, a typical SUV fitted with child seat and driven buy a princess with a coffee appointment, might just take it out.
The mighty hi-lux is still kickin arse
Most Bowler Wildcats were built on a tubular chassis and used Discovery 2 axles, transfer box and Defender gearbox. Allot were 4.0 ltr V8s with about 300bhp but there were some running 300tdi. One 300tdi finished 11th on the Dakar a while ago. At one time Bowlers were the most prolific finishers of any manufacturer on the Dakar.
Compared to others they were relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. I raced a non Dakar spec one(pics below) in the UK for a few years and apart from an R380 letting go it was reliable. I was running a 5.2 John Eales Rover motor.
Sadly Drew Bowler died unexpectedly a few years ago but the company still carries on and now makes the Bowler Bulldog pictured below. It runs mostly standard RRS/Discovery 5 suspension and other LR running gear. A mate of mine just won the Moroccan Rally in one last year. I think they plan to do the Dakar at some point.
Paul Round made his own version of the Wildcat that used a BMW 6 cylinder diesel.
2022 Defender D250 S being set up for touring.
'83 RRC 2 door 300tdi on club plates
'82 RRC 2 door almost finished on club plates (will always be nearly finished!)
2013 Freelander (wife's)
1994 Defender ute hopefully on club plates one day
Hilux in appearance, how many parts on it are original?
The Hilux and Toyota badges. Maybe the headlights, front panels, windshield etc... nothing else as every other vehicle racing in that class.
The badge on the front is good enough for me.....all from the same stable.
We pro'ly don't see as many Land-rovers in the Dakar since Drew Bowler's passing Bowler Offroad - Wikipedia. I remember being very impressed by them in the Dakar few years ago, there was a hole that a lot of cars were falling into and the spectators were helping them get out, this also happened to a Bowler, although it too needed help onto it's wheels, it then just drove out. Drew was a nice guy, I rang him once about the twin fuel pumps fitted to his TD5's, he was very helpful saying he didn't know the type off hand, but gave me his mechanic's number, so I could source one.
Spotted a defer in support
And Toby Price has done it again.
Numpty
Thomas - 1955 Series 1 107" Truck Cab
Leon - 1957 Series 1 88" Soft Top
Lewis - 1963 Series 11A ex Mil Gunbuggy
Teddy5 - 2001 Ex Telstra Big Cab Td5
Betsy - 1963 Series 11A ex Mil GS
REMLR No 143
Doesn't LR support a team of ex-military disabled drivers? I have read about them, but can't remember the details.
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