Ford Ranger Raptor racer detailed ahead of Baja 1000 debut

The desert-tamed Ford Ranger Raptor racer will make its first appearance at the Baja 1000 in Mexico on November 18.

First announced in early November, the modified Ranger Raptor was built and developed in Australia by Kelly Racing, with final evaluation in the United States by Ford Performance's off-road team, Lovell Racing.

Under the bonnet, it remains powered by the production car’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, producing 294kW and 583Nm. It is matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with additional sensors to monitor key powertrain parameters.

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While it may feature the stock engine, a unique aspect is its biofuel compatibility, with its Shell blend a mix of ethanol and 30 per cent ‘bionaphtha’, a synthetic fuel made using renewable energy.

The blend will still produce carbon from the tailpipe, but it is produced with zero-emissions tech rather than being drilled out of the ground for a cleaner result.

For a full run-down on the Ford Ranger Raptor Baja racer, click on the link below:

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A large 160-litre tank – equipped with a dry-break filler – is integrated into the tub, with the standard exhaust system re-routed to accommodate the fuel cell. Ford has also removed the intermediate muffler and active valve system to enhance performance.

Other stock items include; the front and rear suspension with Fox shocks, front and rear differentials, off-road cruise control, Sync 4 infotainment system, 360-degree camera system, exterior lighting, dual-zone climate control, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.

It is fitted with a nudge bar with an ARB-supplied lightbar, enhanced underbody protection, and “additional shielding on key suspension components to protect vehicle performance in the extreme Baja environment”.

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The racer also features 17-inch Method’s Bead Grip forged alloy wheels and 35-inch tyres – the largest permissible in its class. It runs 315/70 R17 BF Goodrich K02 tyres, with ARP racing wheel studs and nuts.

For better track use, it sports high-performance brake pads and DOT4 racing brake fluid, while recovery boards and a bed-mounted spare will assist if it gets stuck on the beaten track.

Inside, the basic fundamentals of the Ranger’s cabin design remain in place, however, Ford has fitted driver and navigator displays, a specialised GPS system, a support toolkit, and a power distribution module to facilitate the additional racing equipment.

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In comparison to the road-going Ranger Raptor, the front and rear parking sensors, nine airbags, and adaptive function for the cruise control have been removed from the racer.

It will be steered by six-time Baja 1000 winner Brad Lovell, off-road driver trainer Jason Hutter, and two-time King of Hammers champion Loren Healy.

And it won’t just be American-based racers getting behind the wheel, with ARB founder Andrew Brown and his son, Danny, confirmed as team navigators.

Both have experience in the Australian off-road racing scene, with Danny Brown winning the 2013 and 2017 ARB Australian Off-Road Racing Championship.

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“It’s an amazing piece of gear straight off the factory floor, so I’m looking forward to testing it out against all Baja has to offer,” said Danny Brown.

“The Baja 1000 is the pinnacle event of our chosen sport, so racing this event is a massive deal to us. The icing on the cake for me is getting to share the experience with my dad.”

The race-ready Ford Ranger Raptor will commence its Baja 1000 campaign in Ensenada, Mexico, on November 18, with the event running until November 23.