Journalists journey to the Defender Trophy Challenge

YOU may remember the Yellow Land Rover Defenders adorned with Camel stickers and teams from around the world pushing themselves physically and mentally to the absolute limit as they vied for top honours in the world’s toughest endurance race to become the Camel Trophy winners.

- WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

THE Defender Trophy will be a personal challenge like no other.

(Supplied)

January sees the revival of that iconic event, this time called the Defender Trophy, where teams will still be pushed to the limit, only in new Defenders.

I'll be there.

There’s a twist this time around with a handful of journalists also competing, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, but I’m one of them. I’m a huge fan of the green oval and despite driving some of the world’s latest and greatest cars for Independent Newspapers and IOL, every time I get into my own Defender 90 TD5 it puts a massive grin on my face.

This time round it’s more likely to be a grimace as an ageing two-pack a day single malt drinker tries to relive his youth.

At least I can comfort myself with the fact that I survived a full season of racing in the Toyota GR Cup, which isn’t half as tough as the Defender Trophy will be, but it’s still a physical and mental challenge every time you strap into a race car.