I was just scrolling on copart when I got thoroughly surprised by a new listing.


First I saw the Lucky8 Off-road sticker, and I thought it was one of their parts testing vehicles, but I couldn’t find it on their site. With more research, TReK appears to be some inter-dealer completion for LandRover USA with factory built cars. But I am finding the information very cloudy, so if somebody could fill me in I would be grateful.
Also check out Copart at the moment… so many nice Defenders that are marked with flood damage in Florida. I wonder why…

 

Correct, Trek is an inter-dealer off-road competition inspired by the Camel Trophy. It is organized by JLR North America and it is to help educate dealer employees about off-road skills, experience the off-road tech first hand, as well as team-building exercises.

Trek first started in 1996 and ran until 2003. JLR North America decided to bring it back for the launch of the L663 in 2020. The first competition in 2020 used modified D5s, and each subsequent competition used some variation of L663s - all lifted out with factory accessories as well as accessories from Lucky8. After the competition, each dealer got to keep their competition vehicle. Some dealers have kept them, and some have sold them.

I have attached the original press release for the 2020 Trek competition. Plenty of information at this link.

https://media.landrover.com/en-us/ne...lers-ahead-new

 

Epic! Thanks for filling me in. Did/is it not going to happen this year?

 

There was no press release, nor have I seen anything on social media about it, so I assume they didn’t have one this year, or it just hasn’t happened.

 

Because there was a big hurricane last month. Hurricane Helene killed over a hundred people.

 

That’s what I was implying…

 

Looks like I jinksed things! TReK is back for 2024, here is the car:


The only thing I can fault it is the body colored taillight surrounds.
In terms of the competition, qualifying rounds have already been held 6 - 15 November, and the competition is being hosted at the Land Rover Experience Center at Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, Calif (a sea side city in California).

 

I guess they moved it to the LR Experience Center at the Quail because the LR Experience Center at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina is closed until further notice following the Hurricane Helene.

It was always held there because they have over 100 miles of trails on the property, including some pretty hardcore trails.

Here’s a picture of me on a 32° side angle at the Biltmore LR Experience during an owner’s day. They also have a fairly deep water crossing, a rock crawling section and like I said, they have over a hundred miles of trails.

 

There was a Land Rover Defender Destination event in Malibu, Cali the week before thanksgiving I believe.
Here is the event press release

https://www.landroverusa.com/experie...-defender.html

 

Deatination Defender has nothing to do with TRęK. Destination Defender was a whole festival-like event. TRęK is for dealers only.