Clinic Car sends the Defender into the desert – BILSTEIN double shock absorbers for cool racing conversion

After 68 years, the production of the classic Land Rover Defender has finally ended, but despite now being ‘obsolete’ the legend continues to race on in the hands of Mr Simone Grossi, owner of the Italian Land Rover partner, Clinic Car. He has already been successful at several rallies with his BILSTEIN equipped racing short wheel base Land Rover Defender 90.

For off road racing more horses were neeeded so thev engine was bored out from 3.5 to 4.6 litres. A modern injection system replaced the original carburettor. Other refinements followed so that it now puts out 236 HP on the dyno. This allows it to go at up to 160 km/h over dirt roads. That sort of speed on such an uneven track requires a suitably solid and efficient suspension. Clinic Car therefore decided on two coilover shock absorbers per wheel, using the BILSTEIN B16 System.

The specific set-up was developed and constructed by the BILSTEIN Service Centre N.T.P. from South Tirol. Using the patented 10-stage click system, they can be adjusted at any time for compression and rebound and an earlier setup can be reproduced at any time. By adjusting the height, the team can also prepare perfectly for different route profiles, depending on whether more speed or ground clearance is required. When push comes to shove, hydraulic bump stops even offer sufficient reserves on hill jumps. An external reservoir provides the dampers with a large quantity of oil so that even on hard stages there are no thermal problems.

This Defender is also a smooth customer, but safety is paramount. Because older Land Rover Defenders have the breaking distance of a freight train, the breaking system was provided with complex 4-piston racing technology. Now it reliably brings the off-roader to a halt every time. Punctures are seldom reason to stop because the Kevlar-reinforced 235/80 R16 tyres mounted on racing aluminium rims are extraordinarily durable. A military snorkel takes care of water hazards. LED headlights protect the vehicle from unexpected obstacles in the dark and a heated windscreen ensures you can see in front of you in damp weather. If a collision is unavoidable, the crew members are protected by an extraordinarily robust bumper made from perforated aluminium plate, designed by Clinic Car itself, as well as a roll bar. . The Landy’s basic construction might be ancient, but with the right BILSTEIN suspension and many other clever solutions, an off-road dream has been created here, and it’s all ready to compete in 2017.