Ford Ranger Raptor conquers Baja 1000 desert race         

The new Ford Ranger Raptor is more than just a brawny-looking bruiser of a pickup, as it emerged victorious from the 2022 BF Goodrich SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in Mexico.

The new Ford Ranger Raptor flexed its muscle at the 2022 Baja 1000 race in Mexico

What makes the feat even more impressive is that the winning Ranger Raptor came with much of the same hardware found on its standard version. This makes it the only road-legal vehicle to survive the 36-hour, 1,332-kilometer non-stop sprint across the Mexican desert, completing the course in one day, 11 hours, and 43 minutes.  

Kelly Racing outfitted the Australia-built rig with race modifications as permitted by regulations, including a roll cage and additional underbody protection. A rear-facing Safari-snorkel was installed to minimize dust intake, while a 160-liter fuel cell was mounted on the cargo bed, accompanied by two spare tires. Kelly Racing worked with Ford Performance for 10 weeks in bringing the standard Ranger Raptor to racing form.   

Only a handful of modifications were present, such as an external fuel tank on the cargo bed

Save for the more aggressive brake pads and special brake fluid formulated to withstand high temperatures and constant high-speed use, the racing Ranger Raptor uses the same brake hardware as that fitted on those sold in showrooms. Even the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, Fox dampers, and BF Goodrich tires are stock, beefed up only by a Motec engine management computer.    

The pickup was entered in the ‘stock mid-class’ category, earning its classification in a field of 137 finishers from a roster of 276 contenders. It also managed to outlast two other prominent off-road vehicles – a Lexus LX600 and a Toyota Land Cruiser – in the stock class, with both vehicles failing to finish the event.  

This is a glimpse of what customers should expect on the new Ranger Raptor 

“Right from when we first got in the truck, the track was just so tough and so technical and there were dead vehicles everywhere out there,” said U.S. off-road champion Loren Healy, one of four drivers at the Ranger Raptor’s wheel throughout the race. “We just picked our way through, stayed patient. I’m just so stoked to be here. Always great to see the sunrise in a race car.”     

Ford Performance Off-road Racing Supervisor Brian Novak was elated with the results. “I’m just so proud of the Ford Performance Australia team, the Ford Performance North American team, Lovell Racing, Motec, Herrod, Kelly Racing, Method Wheels – there are so many people who were a part of this program,” he said. 

“It’s a stock engine, a stock transmission, a stock driveline in the truck. It was just flawless. I couldn’t have asked for a better race.” 

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