SARA and SAYDIIE Make History at Desafio Ruta 40 with Defender Rally

May 26, 2026

• SARA and SAYDIIE make history as first all-female crew at Desafio Ruta 40 since 2010, piloting Defender Rally’s Dakar D7X-R through Argentina’s punishing 2,700km route with 1,699km timed stages.
• Navigator SAYDIIE, 19, brings factory team credentials from Can-Am and Honda to her Defender Rally debut in W2RC Round 3, partnering with veteran driver SARA.
• The American duo previously claimed victory at 2023 NORRA 1000, a five-day Baja endurance battle, proving their chemistry before tackling Argentina’s volcanic El Nihuil dunes.
• Defender Dakar D7X-R leverages production Octa DNA—bodyshell, transmission, driveline—with FIA stock class modifications including beefed cooling, suspension upgrades, and widened track for rally-raid extremes.

defender, desafio ruta 40, fia world rally-raid championship