Ford Ranger Raptor to tackle Dakar Rally

The Ford Ranger Raptor is set to tackle the world’s pre-eminent off-road race, the Dakar Rally.

The source of this information is an unlikely one – a set of co-ordinates incorporated into the wrap of the Ranger Raptor that’s competing in the Finke Desert Race this weekend.

Written on one of the Raptor’s flanks is 14°41’34”N 17°26’48”W, which when plugged into Google Maps takes you straight to the centre of the West African city of Dakar.

Since 2020, the Dakar rally has been held in Saudi Arabia, but the intention is clear.

When asked about the next chapter for the Ford Ranger Raptor race program following its participation at the 2022 Baja 1000 and 2023 Finke Desert Race, Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook was coy.

“Certainly a lot of thoughts, a lot of discussion [about what’s next],” he said.

“We’ve got a great line-up of Raptors now globally and several different versions of them with Bronco Raptor, F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor. Off-road racing is becoming more global, as most motorsports are, and the opportunity with globalisation of these classes to race in more and more places. So I guess look for more in the future as we go more and more global.”

With Rushbrook remaining tight-lipped, it’s unclear whether Ford would enter the virtually-stock Ranger Raptor it’s used so far or attempt to battle Toyota and Audi for outright honours, potentially teaming up with an existing race team like its long-standing WRC program (M-Sport), recent GT efforts (Chip Ganassi Racing) and forthcoming F1 participation (Red Bull Racing).

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