Lot 109: 2002 Land Rover Freelander - Ex 2003 Paris Dakar

Each year the world's bravest drivers come together to compete in the Paris-Dakar Rally, a grueling 7,000 mile trek across every imaginable terrain, from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, Africa. They do battle in trucks, cars, motorbikes and ATVs, all striving for the honor of being called the ultimate off-road champ.On offer today is one such vehicle that battled the tortuous desert conditions. This Land Rover Freelander competed in the 2003 event and subsequently competed in, and won the Super production class of the Goodyear British Off Road Championship.As you would expect the car has been prepared to a very high standard. The engine is a bespoke BMW Td4 unit built by JE Engineering with power being transmitted to the road via a limited slip differential.Suspension is by Ohlins, with the shocks fitted with coolers all round and are fully adjustable. Safety equipment is provided by a Safety Devices roll cage adapted to FIA regulations with drivers strapped into FIA Safety Devices seats with full harnesses. The body has been seam welded with shock turret reinforcement. The car has substantial protection from the rough terrain with sump and engine guards and a 6mm aluminium belly pan under the car. Modifications and upgrades are too great to list here but a comprehensive list is available on request. It is believed it cost in the region of £100,000 to prepare this Freelander for competition use.The car was bought by the present owner in 2005 where the tyre racks were removed, sand ladders and other non essential items to reduce weight. All the suspension was fully stripped and rebuilt by Ohlins. The car was extensively worked on throughout after the Dakar to prepare for the BORC (British Off Road Championship) where it competed in and won the Super production class. The car is fully road legal and is supplied with a V5 log book and current MoT valid until December 2007.