Defender Rally set to make history in Argentina with all-female crew

Sara Price (photo credit: Defender Rally)

Sara Price and Saydiie Gray will become the first all-female crew to officially compete at the Desafío Ruta 40 as Defender Rally continues its World Rally-Raid Championship campaign.

Defender Rally is set to break new ground later this month as Sara Price and Saydiie Gray prepare to become the first all-female crew to officially compete at the Desafío Ruta 40 since the event began in 2010.

The historic moment will come during Round 3 of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship in Argentina from May 24-29, where Defender Rally continues its push for Stock class honours.

Price, currently second in the Stock standings on 127 points, will partner with 19-year-old off-road racer and navigator Gray for the event, marking Gray’s first outing with the Defender Rally programme.

The American pairing already share experience together after winning the NORRA 1000 endurance race in Baja, Mexico, in 2023.

Saydiie Gray (Photo credit: Defender Rally)

“Joining Defender Rally team for the race in Argentina is a massive step for me and I’m buzzing to take on the challenge,” Gray said.

“Competing with a friend by my side just makes this even more special and makes me even more determined. We’re here to learn, push, and make our mark on the Desafío Ruta 40.”

The Desafío Ruta 40 takes place across Argentina’s Cuyo region and features more than 2,700 kilometres of competition, including nearly 1,700 kilometres of timed stages across gravel, sand and volcanic dunes.

Price said she was eager to return to competition in the Defender Dakar D7X-R alongside Gray.

“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the D7X-R, and this time with Saydiie as my navigator,” Price said.

“We have loads of racing experience together so I’m confident we will put that to good use in Argentina. I’m sure there will be challenges thrown our way, but with our incredible team behind us, there’s nothing we can’t handle.”

Defender Rally heads into Argentina carrying strong momentum after already claiming victory in the Stock class at the 2026 Dakar Rally during the programme’s debut appearance. The team also impressed during the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, where its crews posted overall times competitive with entries from the top Ultimate category.

The team’s line-up is completed by championship leaders Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal, along with Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Mika Metge.

Ian James, Team Principal for Defender Rally, believes the Argentinian event will provide another important test for the programme.

“It’s time for another new challenge for our team, as we reach the halfway point of the season with the Desafío Ruta 40,” James said.

“Every kilometre is a chance to improve, push harder and demonstrate what Defender is capable of.”

The Defender Dakar D7X-R competes in the FIA’s Stock category for production-based vehicles and is derived from the Defender OCTA, retaining the same D7x body architecture, transmission layout and 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 foundations as the road-going vehicle.