Ford Performance Gears Up for Baja 1000 Dual Desert Assault

In the heart of the off-road racing arena, Ford Performance is gearing up for an intense showdown at the 56th SCORE Baja 1000, unleashing two formidable contenders – the Bronco Raptor and the F-150 Raptor R. This dual desert assault marks Ford’s relentless pursuit of excellence, pushing the boundaries of off-road endurance and innovation.

Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance Global Director of Motorsports, emphasizes the Baja 1000’s significance as both a competition and a developmental proving ground. “The Baja 1000 is one of the most difficult off-road endurance races on the planet, making it as much a competition as it is a development and learning proving ground for us,” he says. “Racing Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R in the Baja 1000 will help Ford continue to learn from and improve both vehicles under the most extreme conditions.”

The 56th SCORE Baja 1000 will kick off in La Paz, a departure from tradition that adds an extra layer of challenge. The race will cover approximately 1,300 miles north to Ensenada, Mexico, with the course being the longest in the race’s history between La Paz and Ensenada. This year, as SCORE International celebrates 50 years of desert racing, the race’s starting point in La Paz is a historic first.

Both the Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R will compete in separate stock race classes, each following the Baja 1000 sportsman route, totaling just under 1,200 miles of challenging terrain.

While both vehicles maintain near-stock setups, they undergo specific modifications to enhance racing performance and safety, all within the regulations established by SCORE. The 2024 F-150 Raptor R, equipped with a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 producing over 700 horsepower, features modified FOX Dual Live Valve shocks with custom internal valving and race-tailored front and rear coil springs.

On the other hand, the 2024 Bronco Raptor boasts a 418 horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission. Modified FOX Live Valve shocks with custom internal valves designed for the Baja 1000, paired with bone stock front and rear coil springs, ensure optimal performance.

Both Raptor vehicles sport custom front and rear bumpers, necessary safety equipment including a safety cage and fuel cells, as well as custom high-intensity LED lighting for night running and Method Wheels designed for the rugged challenge.

The Bronco Raptor, piloted by 2022 SCORE Baja 1000 winners Brad Lovell and Jason Hutter, along with seasoned off-road racer Bailey Campbell, seeks to showcase its capabilities under the most demanding circumstances. Brad Lovell expresses the anticipation, saying, “The opportunity to show the world what the Bronco Raptor is capable of in the most grueling circumstances possible is certainly an exclamation point on my six-year involvement with the design and testing of the Bronco.”

The F-150 Raptor R, the third generation of its kind to participate in the Baja 1000, will be driven by Ultra4 Racing Class 4600 National Champion Loren Healy, three-time King of the Hammers Champion Jason Scherer, and John Williams. This trio of champions aims to redefine the off-road capabilities of factory vehicles.

Ford’s commitment to off-road motorsports extends beyond competition – they are the Official Truck and SUV of SCORE-International Off-Road Racing. As the lead sponsor of the SCORE World Desert Challenge Series, which includes the Baja 1000, Ford solidifies its dedication to off-road enthusiasts, using the platform to connect, develop, and showcase the capabilities of their vehicles.

As the Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R rev their engines for the Baja 1000, Ford Performance continues to push the boundaries, setting the stage for an epic desert duel that promises not only to test the limits of these formidable vehicles but to redefine the standards of off-road racing.

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