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The Australian-developed Ranger Raptor is competing in Baja this week
Details on the Australian-developed Ford Ranger Raptor that will compete in this week’s BFGoodrich SCORE Baja 1000. Ford Australia has publicly confirmed the vehicle’s specifications and driver line-up, with the prologue to the event in the Mexican desert starting on November 15.
Former Supercars team Kelly Racing was called upon to develop a vehicle for the Stock middle class, where modifications are limited.
Bathurst winner and Kelly Racing Team principal Todd Kelly explained that the 10-week window to fit the bigger Method wheels and BF Goodrich tyres, extra lighting, underbody protection and a 160-litre fuel cell was all-consuming.
“The process was intense,” Kelly said. “The Ford Performance team in Australia and the USA were amazing and even though the nights were long, I’m so glad I got to be involved in this project.”
“The powertrain, chassis and suspension are all built for Baja, so we only had to work within the class rules and match the cage, fuel system and safety equipment,” said Kelly.
“I had a lot of rides during shakedown testing on the outskirts and was absolutely blown away by how capable the truck was out of the box. I found myself pushing it as hard as I could over dunes and down ruts, but the truck still felt like it had heaps of give .
Australians Danny and Andy Brown are part of the line-up, as previously reported by Speedcafe.com. They have achieved significant results in Australian off-road racing and are also responsible for the ARB products that give the Baja 1000 Ranger entry an even more Australian flavour.
“This is a great piece of equipment straight off the factory floor, so I’m looking forward to testing it with everything Baja has to offer,” said Danny Brown. “The Baja 1000 is the pinnacle of our chosen sport, so racing in this event is a huge thing for us. For me, sharing experiences with my father is the icing on the cake.
Brad Lovell, Jason Hutter and Loren Healy join the Brown father-son duo led by renowned off-road racer Curt LeDuc.
A closer look at the Ford Ranger Raptor and its crew competing in the BFGoodrich SCORE Baja 1000.
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