Excite Team GB will bring one of the world’s rarest rally raid vehicles to The British Motor Show this summer, giving visitors the chance to get up close to a machine built to conquer some of the toughest terrain on Earth.
The privately-run motorsport team will showcase its impressive Desert Warrior 3, a purpose-built T1 FIA rally raid car designed for endurance competition across deserts and remote terrain. With only four Desert Warrior 3s in existence worldwide, the vehicle is one of the most exclusive and capable off-road racing machines ever to appear at the show.
Led by lifelong motorsport enthusiast John Hardy, Excite Team GB is a private team whose sponsorship funding goes directly back into racing and promoting its partners through competition and public appearances.
Designed and built in Yorkshire by Rally Raid UK, the Desert Warrior 3 was developed as a reliable, easy-to-maintain and highly capable “gentleman’s racer” for long-distance off-road competition.
Powered by a six-cylinder BMW M57 diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox, the car features limited-slip and locking differentials, a massive 245-litre fuel tank, a built-in jacking system and onboard air compressor, enabling it to tackle thousands of miles of harsh terrain.
Over the years, the vehicle has competed in rally raids across the UAE, Egypt and Africa, while the chassis itself boasts Dakar pedigree, having previously completed the famous South American Dakar Rally under an earlier body configuration.
John’s own motorsport journey began in stage rallying at the age of 16 before progressing into the world of rally raid. He has since competed in the gruelling Silk Way Rally in Russia in a 10-tonne truck and most recently took on the Fenek Rally aboard the Desert Warrior. John will be on hand to meet visitors on Sunday at the show, but the Desert Warrior 3 will be on display all weekend.
Looking to the future, Excite Team GB hopes to secure the sponsorship needed to tackle the legendary Africa Eco Race, a two-week endurance event that follows the original Dakar Rally route across Africa before finishing in Dakar, Senegal.
Andy Entwistle, CEO of The British Motor Show, said:
“Excite Team GB perfectly represents the passion that drives grassroots motorsport. Their Desert Warrior 3 is an incredible piece of engineering with a fascinating competition history, and visitors will have the rare opportunity to see one of only four examples in the world. It’s a fantastic addition to this year’s show and another example of the variety of automotive experiences on offer.”
From Dakar-inspired machinery to supercars, classics, live action and family entertainment, The British Motor Show takes place at Farnborough International from 21-24 August 2026.
