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Defender kicks off off-road challenge to showcase rugged credentials
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Mud bath: A Defender Trophy Edition frolicking in its natural habitat.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
Christopher Tan
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan – Back in the day when carmakers had fat marketing budgets and tobacco sponsorship was kosher, there was the Camel Trophy, a gruelling off-road challenge featuring largely Land Rover Discovery cars and predecessors of the Defender.
The competition took place annually from 1980 to 2000 in places such as Africa, South America, Mongolia and Siberia. It tested driving skill, physical stamina, teamwork and mental agility. It ended when tobacco sponsorship was banned.
