Ford Ranger Raptor Baja racer detailed

Ford Performance has detailed the modifications it’s made to the Ford Ranger Raptor ahead of its assault on the 2022 Baja 1000 rally raid, and it’s fair to say there aren’t that many.

That’s because Ford has entered the new-generation high-performance dual-cab ute in the ‘Stock Mid-Size’ class, which only permits chassis and safety modifications including beefier wheels and tyres, extra lights, underbody protection and a roll cage, plus the fitment of a 160-litre fuel tank.

Apart from a couple of additional sensors, no changes have been made to the 292kW/583Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that resides under the bonnet of the new Ford Ranger Raptor, nor the 10-speed automatic transmission it comes standard with.

Also showcasing the latest Australian-developed Raptor’s high-speed off-road capability straight off the showroom floor, the standard Fox Live Valve suspension set-up has also been left untouched – as has the majority of braking hardware excluding high-performance brake pads and DOT4 racing brake fluid.

Rolling stock still comprises the familiar 17-inch configuration, albeit with the standard alloys swapped out for a set of Method’s Bead Grip forged aluminium racing wheels shod with chunkier (35-inch) 315/70 R17 BFGoodrich K02s – the same rubber fitted to customer vehicles, just in a more aggressive profile.

Holding the upgraded wheels to the hubs is a set of ARP racing wheel studs and nuts.

Besides the striking orange and black ‘war paint’, the most obvious enhancements are the tubular front nudge bar interlocked with the heavy-duty underbody protection and suspension guards.

An ARB AR40 Intensity light bar is integrated into the nudge bar, with another two mounted to the top of a removable cage structure in the tub, which in turn encompasses the 160-litre fuel cell.

Said fuel cell will be filled with Shell’s low-carbon biofuel blend and required a subtle rerouting of the exhaust system’s mid-section.

A custom-built snorkel and spare wheel ‘chase rack’ largely round out the exterior accessories, however, other key pieces of equipment that’ll be carried on-board include TRED Pro Recovery boards and a quick jacking system.

Inside the cabin is a MoTeC PDM30 power distribution module, Lowrance GPS system, MoTeC C127 navigator’s display and a MoTeC D153 display for the driver.

The passenger compartment has been reinforced by an FIA-compliant roll cage, while the rear window glass has been swapped out for smash-proof Perspex.

A mandatory on-board fire suppression system is also fitted, along with front window nets.

The vehicle was built and developed locally by Ford Performance in collaboration with Kelly Racing, before being flown to the US where Lovell Racing made the finishing touches and prepared the vehicle for its November 18 date with destiny.

“The powertrain, the chassis, the suspension have been built to do Baja, so all we had to do was work within the rules of the class and fit the cage, the fuel system, and safety gear,” Kelly Racing team principal Todd Kelly said.

“I was lucky enough to do a lot of the driving during the shakedown testing in the Outback and I was completely blown away with how capable the truck is out of the box.

“I was finding that I was pushing it as hard as I could across dunes and along rutted tracks and yet the truck still felt like it had heaps left to give.”

The race-prepared Ranger Raptor will be piloted by Baja veterans Brad Lovell, Loren Healy and Jason Hutter, as well as ARB managing director Andy Brown.

ARB regional export manager Danny Brown will serve as navigator.

Australian Ford Performance and special vehicles engineering manager Justin Capicchiano said the plan was for the essentially stock Ranger Raptor to showcase its “absolute capability” at one of the world’s toughest off-road races.

“The Baja 1000 is known around the world as one of the toughest off-road races on the planet,” he said.

“It’s a difficult race to go and enter any vehicle into, let alone a production vehicle, and the Ranger Raptor we’re racing isn’t far off what you can drive off the showroom floor.”

The SCORE International Baja 1000 will start at 10:00am pacific standard time this Friday, November 18 (5:00am AEDT Saturday).

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