Ford looks to make its mark at Dakar with Ranger Raptor T1+
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Ford Ranger Raptor T1+ Set to Compete in the 2024 Dakar Rally
Ford's Motorsport Legacy
Ford has been as successful in motorsport as it has been on the road. The legendary Ford vs Ferrari rivalry at Le Mans instantly springs to mind when talking about the Blue Oval’s motorsport pedigree. However, for all the Everets and Rangers, Ford has made, it has never entered the most grueling off-road race on the planet: Dakar. Until now.
Introducing the Ranger Raptor T1+
Meet the Ranger Raptor T1+, an off-road monster that looks to bring Dakar glory to Ford. The American carmaker will be entering the 2024 Dakar Rally with longtime partners M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM), who will assist Ford in vehicle development, servicing, and event management.
Technical Specifications and Testing
The Ranger Raptor T1+ will be based on the previous generation Ranger available globally and will feature a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine under the bonnet. Before tackling the Dakar Rally next year, test races are scheduled to include:
- Spain's Baja España Aragón in July
- Morocco's Rally du Maroc in October
Future Plans for Dakar Rally
What’s more, Ford’s quest for the Dakar Rally won’t end in 2024. The American carmaker, along with M-Sport, has already started developing an all-new, custom-built Ranger Raptor, which aims to overcome the shortcomings the current T1+ might face at the 2024 Dakar. The T1+ will enter the 2024 Dakar Rally on a “finish and learn” basis.
Mark Rushbrook's Vision
"To lead the charge at one of the ultimate global off-road events – the Dakar Rally – has been a goal of ours,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “We cannot underestimate the enormity of the challenge ahead of us. We need to finish and learn first with Ranger T1+ and partners like M-Sport and NWM, who bring their expertise to bear. Together, we can do amazing things in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula.”
He further added: “Our first time in Dakar will be a learning adventure that will help inform how we compete in the future. But as with all racing, we’re not just racing to win; we’re also racing to help build better products for our customers.”
2024 Dakar Rally Details
The 2024 Dakar Rally is set to take place over 3,000 miles between January 5-19 in Saudi Arabia. We can’t wait to see how Ford performs in the 45th edition of this iconic event!
