Aussie-developed, Baja 1000 class-winning super ute to contest Australia’s toughest desert race
We knew it was only a matter of time, but Ford Performance has now confirmed its Baja 1000-conquering Ford Ranger Raptor desert racer will take on the 2023 Tatts Finke Desert Race in June, once again competing in the Production 4WD class.
The Blue Oval first hinted at its intention to enter the new-generation Ford Ranger Raptor in Australia’s toughest desert race in September last year – months before the Baja racer was revealed but well into the development of the Raptor racer, which was built by Kelly Racing before final testing and development by Ford Performance and Lovell Racing.
Now, having conquered its class in the world’s second-hardest desert event after the Dakar Rally, the Finke is the next logical competition step for the Australian-developed Raptor, which will once again be piloted by father-and-son driving duo Brad and Byam Lovell.
Racing the Finke will hold extra significance for the Raptor given the bulk of its development work was carried out in Australia, specifically in conditions that replicate those of the fabled race.
“Bringing the Ranger Raptor to the Finke Desert Race is the next stage of Ford Performance’s strategic global racing plan,” Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook said.
“Ranger is our flagship platform for global off-road racing, and after conquering the Baja 1000 in the Stock Mid-Size class, we decided the next stop should be back to Australia, where the production truck was developed, to tackle the toughest off-road race down under.”
Modifications to the dune-smashing off-roader are relatively subtle within the context of a racing vehicle and largely limited to the safety cell and fuel storage, in line with ‘Stock Mid-Size’ class regulations.
The twin-turbo petrol V6 powertrain remains standard, but the Baja/Finke-spec Raptor has been dressed up with 17-inch Method’s Bead Grip forged aluminium racing wheels, chunkier (35-inch) 315/70 R17 BFGoodrich K02 tyres, ARP racing wheel studs and nuts, a tubular front nudge bar interlocked with heavy-duty underbody protection, three lightbars, a 160-litre fuel tank, roll cage, snorkel, MoTeC PDM30 power distribution module, Lowrance GPS system, MoTeC C127 navigator’s display and a MoTeC D153 display for the driver.
The dual-cab 4×4 ute has been given a “minor refresh” by Lovell Racing and Huseman Engineering following its Baja victory, but no concrete changes have been published ahead of its Finke debut.
The Lovell crew and Ford Performance will be supported in their endeavours by Walkinshaw Performance, which will provide logistical, event management and service support throughout the four-day Finke assault.
“We have great experience in the Australian Off-Road Championship, and at Finke, so to bring that experience to partner with the might of Ford Performance and Ford Australia with the Baja 1000 winning Ranger Raptor is sensational,” Walkinshaw Performance business manager Gareth Brown said.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure the best possible result.”
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Keyword: Ford Ranger Raptor to take on Finke Desert Race