In this month’s Famous Last Words Podcast with Andy Stott, we talked about the recent success of the next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor at the notoriously tough International Baja 1000. In particular, the cars association with Australia through ARB, Kelly Racing and Herrod Performance, and that it was designed here.
When the Ranger fronted the Baja start line on November 18th, it marked the return of one of the races most winning nameplates and it was a great example of Ford Performance’s global attitude by utilising race teams and Ford Engineers from both the United States and Australia, to succeed in one of the worlds toughest desert races in Mexico.
Next-Gen Ford Ranger Raptor | Road to Baja | Ford Performance
Car number 773 was entered in the Stock Mid-size class and its sole objective was to complete the tortuous 1332km event in a creditable time, which they did in spades.
Off-Road Racing Supervisor at Ford Performance Brian Novak, summed up the team’s efforts and result:
“I’m just so proud of the Ford Performance Australia team, the Ford Performance North American team, Lovell Racing, Motec, Herrod, Kelly Racing, Method Wheels – there are so many people who were a part of this programme,” Novak said.
“It’s a stock engine, a stock transmission, a stock driveline in this truck. It was just flawless. I couldn’t have asked for a better race. I’m just so proud of everyone who worked on this programme.”
This Speedcafe article by Damian Smy looked at the car prior to the race in this November 1st article:
Ford Ranger Raptor built by Supercars team for Baja 1000
The Australian connection also included the third driver combination of father and son pairing of Andy and Danny Brown who drove the final stint of 1,078km to the finish line at Esenada. Both Andy and Danny are well-known Australian desert racers.
This Whichcar article by 4×4 Australia deputy editor Evan Spence takes a closer look at the Rangers effort at the 2022 International Baja 1000.
Ford Ranger Raptor wins 1000 stock mid-size class – whichcar